Khalwale reveals how he was shortchanged in 2022 Kakamega governor race
Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale has revealed the behind-the-scenes intrigues that led to him stepping down from the Kakamega gubernatorial race in 2022, accusing President William Ruto and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi of orchestrating a political betrayal that left him sidelined.
Speaking at his Malinya home in Kakamega County on Monday, July 14, 2025, while addressing a gathering of locals, Khalwale recounted how he had positioned himself early for the governor’s seat, only to be shoved aside in favour of Cleophas Malala.
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He described the decision as a well-calculated political game that was played behind his back despite his early declaration of interest and grassroots mobilisation efforts.
“The president shortchanged me; wakaenda kwa siasa yao na mudavadi wakanitoa. All that is history,” Khalwale stated.
He narrated how, despite being instrumental in introducing President Ruto to the Luhya region and hosting some of the earliest strategy meetings at his home, he was ultimately left in the cold.
In an emotional recount, he mentioned that his late wife had even personally cooked for Ruto during those early engagements — a sign of the deep trust and commitment he had shown in supporting Ruto’s presidential ambitions. He added that she died believing that Khalwale’s support for Ruto would be reciprocated with a clear path to the gubernatorial seat.
“Ruto was the last dignitary my late wife cooked for before dying. Now she is lying, knowing that you shortchanged me. My wife knew that I was assisting Ruto to become president and he was helping me to become governor,” Khwalwale said.
However, according to Khalwale, things took a different turn when the coalition leaders handed the gubernatorial ticket to Malala without consulting him.
He said the decision was abrupt and left him politically stranded, forcing him to settle for a senatorial bid — a position he had not initially intended to pursue in that election cycle.
The foul play
Khalwale further claimed that when the issue of accommodating him came up, Ruto proposed that he run for the Senate seat.
But even then, Mudavadi, in what Khalwale described as another strategic move, went to Khwisero East Ward and picked a local MCA, whom he fronted for the same senatorial position, adding to the confusion and betrayal.
“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.
He also recounted how, in the midst of the political standoff, both Ruto and National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula promised him a Cabinet position should they form the government.
However, Khalwale maintained that he was seeking an elective seat, not an appointment, because he believed he had the capacity and the mandate of the people.
