Boni Khalwale has finally opened up about what really happened behind the scenes during the 2022 elections, revealing how top leaders in the Kenya Kwanza coalition plotted to block his ambition to become the governor of Kakamega.
Speaking at his Malinya home in Kakamega on Monday, July 14, 2025, the senator explained how he was edged out of the race by a plan involving President William Ruto and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi.
According to Khalwale, he had begun early groundwork, mobilising people and declaring his interest publicly, only to later realise that the ticket had quietly been handed to Cleophas Malala.
“The president short-changed me; wakaenda kwa siasa yao na Mudavadi wakanitoa. All that is history,” Khalwale stated.
He went on to say that it was painful because he had stood with Ruto from the beginning, introducing him to the Luhya region when others were still undecided.
He reminded people how he hosted early political meetings at his home and gave Ruto a strong platform in Western Kenya when he needed it most.
Khalwale also gave a touching memory of his late wife, saying she cooked for Ruto during one of those early meetings a gesture that showed just how serious and loyal he was to Ruto’s mission.
According to Khalwale, his wife passed away believing that Ruto would one day return the favour by supporting her husband’s bid for governor.
“Ruto was the last dignitary my late wife cooked for before dying. Now she is lying, knowing that you short-changed me. My wife knew that I was assisting Ruto to become president and he was helping me to become governor,” Khalwale said.
He recalled how the announcement to give Malala the ticket was made without his knowledge, leaving him politically confused and without a clear direction.
He eventually chose to go for the Senate seat, not because he wanted to, but because that was the only remaining option.
According to him, Ruto then asked him to run for Senate, but even that decision was not smooth. Mudavadi, in what Khalwale called a clever move, went to Khwisero East and picked a local MCA to also run for Senate, further complicating the issue.
“Nikawambia sasa mtaniacha tu hivi, Mudavadi akasikia president akisema sasa wewe Khalwale ukuwe senator, akaenda Kwisero East, akaachakua leader of majority, akamleta kwa press conference watangaze Malala governor, alafu yeye senator,” he stated.
Khalwale also mentioned that both Ruto and National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula had promised him a Cabinet post if they won the election, but he made it clear he was not after appointments. He said his goal was always to be elected by the people because he believed in his ability to lead and had the support of the voters.
Khalwale’s account paints a picture of a man who feels deeply betrayed by those he trusted. It also reveals the kind of power struggles and silent deals that take place behind closed doors in Kenyan politics.
Despite the betrayal, he remains in the Senate, but his message was clear the people he once helped rise to power left him hanging when he needed their support most.
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