Western Kenya gears for political shift as Khalwale leaves Ruto camp

Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale leads Bushiangala residents to protest following claims that they may be forced to vacate their ancestral land following the discovery of gold deposits in Idakho, Ikolomani constituency, on November 12, 2025 . [Benjamin Sakwa, Standard]  

In politics, it is often said that there are no permanent enemies or friends, only permanent interests. For Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale, however, he has just opened a political battle and enmity with his United Democratic Alliance (UDA).

Observers believe the political landscape in the Western region is set for another realignment as Khalwale prepares to fight back after being removed from his position as Senate Majority Whip by UDA senators.

While his decision to attack UDA is seen as a boost for the United Opposition, President William Ruto’s camp faces a setback with the loss of one of his staunch supporters in the region, potentially undermining efforts to consolidate control in Western Kenya.

The UDA decision to remove Khalwale was largely triggered by the recent Malava by-election, in which he supported Seth Panyako of the DAP-K party under the United Opposition umbrella, rather than UDA’s candidate, David Ndakwa.

In October, Khalwale said he was being targeted after the ruling party attempted to coerce him into supporting Ndakwa, insisting that his community’s political interests were more important than the Majority Whip position. “There is no compromise in my decision. The threats to remove me as Majority Whip came because I refused to go against the route my community has chosen, which is supporting Panyako. Our mission is to unite the region,” he said, adding he had no regrets.

Khalwale argued the by-election aimed to restore dignity to the region, accusing President Ruto of ignoring those who popularised UDA in western Kenya while relying on Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, who he claims contributed little to the party’s regional popularity.

For the past six months, Khalwale has criticised the government’s policies, particularly in health, agriculture, and taxation, despite being a senior UDA member. He opposed policies championed by his party leader, including the Social Health Authority (SHA), the inequitable distribution of national resources, and development initiatives, arguing that Western Kenya had been sidelined despite supporting President Ruto.

He has also criticised Health CS Aden Duale over unpaid SHA claims to hospitals, including St Mary’s Mumias Hospital, and Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen, whom he described as unfit to oversee the country’s security portfolio. “Security is not managed from a hotel. When I handled cattle theft in Butere, I went to the ground with DCI officers, chiefs, and administrators, and within three days, we recovered 47 stolen cows,” Khalwale said, referring to a security meeting held by Murkomen in Kakamega.

Meanwhile, Khalwale has campaigned for Panyako alongside Trans Nzoia Governor, promoting Luhya unity and urging support for Natembeya. Observers suggest he may be leaving UDA to join forces with Natembeya ahead of the 2027 elections.

Khalwale’s fallout with Ruto and UDA began in 2022 when he was asked to step aside for Cleophas Malala to contest the Kakamega gubernatorial seat. Khalwale, a founding UDA member in Western Kenya, felt sidelined despite being senior to Malala, who had recently defected from ANC. Malala eventually lost to the current ODM governor, Fernandes Barasa, while Khalwale retained his Senate seat.

His relationship with the President worsened when Ruto allied with the late ODM leader Raila Odinga under the broad-based government arrangement. Khalwale claimed the President betrayed him by confirming Governor Barasa as the broad-based candidate for Kakamega in 2027, leaving him sidelined despite his role in establishing UDA in the region.

Khalwale subsequently registered his own party, the United Patriotic Movement (UPM), intending to contest the governorship. “I was shocked when the President told me he and Raila had agreed Governor Barasa would be the broad-based candidate. I am a founding UDA member, but this time, no one will stop me from running,” he said.

He has accused Mudavadi of influencing his being sidelined in 2022, alleging the PCS played a key role in favouring Malala.

Political analysts suggest Khalwale may be the biggest loser in this emerging conflict with UDA. “Khalwale enjoyed the privileges of the Majority Whip office, including government vehicles, allowances, and security, which helped him campaign for the governorship. Losing this position limits his resources and hands Barasa an easier path to re-election,” said Martin Andati.

Andati added that Khalwale’s momentum in Western Kenya has dwindled following the United Opposition’s defeat in the Malava by-election. “He hoped a win in Malava would strengthen his influence in Kakamega and the region, benefiting his governorship ambitions. After the defeat, his political leverage has reduced significantly,” he said.

“His removal will not change Western Kenya politics. His history of dissent and rebel politics has long been factored into regional decision-making,” said analyst Dismas Mokua.

Despite these challenges, Khalwale remains defiant. He continues to criticise government policies and campaigns for his own political future, signalling a tense prelude to the 2027 General Elections in Western Kenya.