Malala, Khalwale clash on Sh3.2m bus cash

A war of words erupted between Senator Cleophas Malala and former senator Boni Khalwale last weekend.

At the centre of the row is a fundraiser held in December last year to buy a bus for traders in Kakamega town. The vehicle is said to have stalled after a week on the road, sparking protests from traders.

Dr Khalwale is now accusing Malala of shortchanging the traders on the Sh3.2 million purchase deal.

Last week, efforts by the traders to stage a demonstration against the senator hit a snag when police dispersed them using teargas canisters. Kakamega OCS Mohammed Godana, cancelled the demonstration citing security concerns.

The traders claim they were not given a valuation report of the bus before it was paid.

Over the weekend, Khalwale engaged the senator in a bitter exchange during the burial of a veterinary officer, Zephaniah Odwaro at Shimalabandu in Lurambi Sub County.

Obsolete bus

Khalwale, blamed the senator of using money to procure an an obsolete bus and using the police to stop the traders from protesting against the purchase deal.

“I will use all available means to ensure Malala refunds the money to the traders,” he said.

But Malala dismissed Khalwale's claims accusing him of introducing politics in the issue and of doing little for the area in his tenure as senator.

“It’s true I bought an old bus for the traders but you (Khalwale) for the last 15 years, have not even bought an old bicycle for the electorate,” he said.

Malala said that a total of Sh3.2 million was raised for the bus which was not enough to buy a new vehicle that he claimed costs Sh5.4 million. He said this informed the decision to buy a second hand bus.

He also accused Khalwale of funding demonstrations against him.