Boni Khalwale Opens Up About Stepping Aside in 2022 Kakamega Governor Race
Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale has revisited the events of 2022, revealing the difficult decision he made during the build-up to the general elections.
He claims he gave in to pressure from President William Ruto to withdraw from the race for Kakamega governor. According to Khalwale, the move was intended to satisfy the demands of Musalia Mudavadi and Moses Wetangula, who had reportedly refused to back Ruto’s presidential bid unless he convinced Khalwale to step down.
Khalwale explained that the agreement cleared the way for another candidate to contest the seat. He described the person who eventually became governor as someone with a questionable record, accusing him of building a reputation for poor leadership and questionable dealings during his time at KETRACO. In his view, this decision has had lasting negative effects on the county, which he says is now struggling badly under the current leadership.
The senator painted a worrying picture of Kakamega County today, stating that it has been brought to its knees due to mismanagement and poor governance. He used strong language to express his regret over the 2022 compromise, suggesting that the county deserved better leadership. Khalwale ended his message on X with the phrase “Ipo siku…”, which many interpreted as a sign that he believes accountability will come one day.
This latest statement has sparked fresh debate about political deals made ahead of the last elections and their impact on devolved units. Khalwale’s comments come at a time when he has increasingly distanced himself from certain alliances within the ruling coalition. Many residents and political observers in Western Kenya are now watching closely to see how these revelations will affect future political alignments in the region, especially as talks about the next elections begin to surface.
