Senate Majority Whip Boni Khalwale has dared President William Ruto to brace for a political showdown, declaring himself and former trade unionist Seth Panyako the political supremos in Kakamega county.
The fiery Kakamega Senator, who is now facing disciplinary action from the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) for backing a rival candidate in the Malava parliamentary by-election, accused senior government operatives of using intimidation and state machinery to impose loyalty.
“Whether we vote for the person the president wants or the person we want, it is us whom you will need votes from in 2027 when things are going to be thick,” Khalwale said during a rally in Malava on Saturday.“Those telling you to prefer one candidate over another are misleading you. You will need all of us in 2027 to succeed.”
Khalwale has defied his own party by endorsing Democratic Action Party–Kenya (DAP–K) candidate Seth Panyako over UDA’s David Ndakwa, a move that has deepened rifts within the ruling coalition and sparked outrage among Ruto’s allies.
On October 14, UDA’s Disciplinary Committee issued Khalwale with a formal notice demanding that he explain within fourteen days why action should not be taken against him for “gross misconduct” and “disloyalty.”
Committee Chairperson Charles Njenga said the senator’s open support for a rival candidate amounts to promoting another party’s interests, in violation of the UDA Constitution and Code of Conduct.
“Your support for the said opposing candidate has been open, vocal, conspicuous, and substantial,” Njenga said, warning that Khalwale’s conduct could cost him his position as Senate Majority Whip.But Khalwale has remained defiant, insisting that his decision is a matter of principle — not betrayal.
He maintains that his original choice was Ryan Injendi, son of the late Malulu Injendi, who failed to secure the UDA ticket, forcing him to rally behind Panyako instead.
“We don’t want development because of a by-election. We need development because of the votes we gave President William Ruto in 2022,” he said, asserting that his loyalty lies with the people of Kakamega, not political elites.
