By Stephen Makabila

At the national stage, Dr Bonny Khalwale goes by the nickname ‘the bull fighter’. But down in Western Province, Simba ya Ikolomani (The Lion of Ikolomani) is how supporters know him.

Some even say he has replaced former MP and veteran politician Martin Shikuku as ‘the people’s watchman’.

In Kakamega, his name is on the lips of all and for good reasons.

Straight talking, down to earth and easily accessible, Khalwale is not a suave politician and come weekends, he is usually in the constituency attending funerals, inspecting development projects and chatting up villagers.

When a bull fighting event is lined-up in this part of Western, he graces the duel, clad in traditional regalia, escorted by Isukuti bands, spicing the morning serene with captivating hits, at times in his praise. In his own Malinya village, he is one of them, and not the mheshimiwa or the chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, due to his simplicity.

He is a household name in Kakamega town, having practiced as a medical doctor for several years in his clinic (now closed) along the town’s Sudi Road.

Khalwale, who is serving his second term as an MP (with a pending petition in Court), is emerging as the most outspoken MP in Western Province, and who always reminds them that they have to also produce a president.

And as Khalwale uses his PAC position to fight corruption in the Coalition Government, many in Ikolomani and Western Province feel he is on the right track.

Delicate balance

But there are those who also feel he should remember to balance his time and energies between spurring development in Ikolomani and fighting corruption.

"He is doing the right thing because some MPs even from Western are involved in the maize scandal and that is the plain truth," said Kimilili MP Simiyu Eseli. Nambale MP Chris Okemo says Khalwale should fight corruption but back his words with strong facts and evidence if he has to be credible.

"Khalwale has been talking much about corruption but my counsel to him is that he should back-up words with hard facts," says Okemo. A university lecturer from Ikolomani Dr Sammy Kubasu says the MP should not forget local development.

"We are happy with him because he is fighting corruption on behalf of Kenyans, but he should not forget the people who elected him," says Kubasu.

The Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology lecturer says although the MP raises fundamental issues of national importance, he does not balance well with what is expected of him to develop the constituency, reduce poverty and improve basic infrastructure.

Those who knew Khalwale before he joined Parliament after the 2002 General Election know him as an aggressive person.

"I was with him in the National Convention Executive Council (NCEC) where he was representing Western Province between 1999 and 2002 and he was very aggressive," says Ken Wafula, the Executive Director of the Eldoret based Centre for Human Rights and Democracy.

Wafula says Khalwale’s anti-corruption crusade had improved his political profile nationally.