Khalwale wife’s funeral turns into Sifuna, 2027 political showdown

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The funeral ceremony of Gloria Khalwale, wife of Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale, on Friday turned into a political arena as leaders traded sharp words over the 2027 succession, political parties and the future of Western Kenya.

What was expected to be a solemn farewell at Malinya Stadium in Ikolomani, Kakamega County, quickly transformed into a political forum, with Senator Khalwale, the bereaved husband, taking an active role in controlling the proceedings and occasionally interrupting speakers.

Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) Deputy Party Leader Cleophas Malala used his address to urge Dr Khalwale to use his political influence and party to advance Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna's presidential ambitions.

Mr Malala argued that Sifuna should not be left searching for a political vehicle ahead of the 2027 elections and challenged Khalwale to use his existing political party to support the senator.

“Boni, you only have one job remaining: to help Sifuna become the next president. Boni Khalwale, you have a political party. If you love Sifuna, relinquish your position as the political leader and give it to Sifuna. Let him be the party leader and use the party to campaign with,” Mr Malala said.

Mr Malala's remarks drew a sharp response from Dr Khalwale, who accused him of repeatedly changing political parties.

“Why don't you express these sentiments you are making here while in Mount Kenya?” Khalwale asked, before reminding Malala of his moves from ANC to UDA and later DCP.

Mr Sifuna defended the Linda Mwananchi movement and called for patience as the group works to establish its political path ahead of the 2027 elections.

“Where we have reached, a big part of the success we have achieved is because people look down on us. So, according to you, Malala, you think Sifuna doesn't have a political party? We have learnt in school about the professor of politics, Raila Odinga. I want to ask our people to relax. They are out there trying to deny us our brand, because the truth is, we marketed Linda Mwananchi. But as they say in English, a rose, by any other name, will still smell as nice. Should they close all the doors, we shall look for an outfit, even if it's the Tent party of Kenya, Grass or Flower party of Kenya,” said Mr Sifuna.

He asked Mr Malala to focus on DCP.

“Malala, just relax. I don't know why you're so bothered about matters concerning Linda Mwananchi, yet you're the DCP Deputy Party Leader. I'm requesting you, Omwami, to focus on matters concerning DCP as we focus on those of Linda Mwananchi,” Mr Sifuna said.

He invoked the political legacy of the late Raila Odinga, saying the current generation of leaders had learned important lessons from his political career.

Responding directly to Malala, Senator Sifuna questioned why the DCP Deputy Party Leader was so concerned about Linda Mwananchi.

Mumias East MP Peter Salasya also injected himself into the political debate, saying he had anticipated the fallout between ODM and the ruling establishment.

Mr Salasya recalled his opposition to the broad-based government arrangement and said he had previously advised Sifuna to leave ODM after the party entered into cooperation with the Kenya Kwanza administration.

He then challenged the Nairobi Senator and former Defence Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa to sit down and agree on who should lead the country, saying he could help them chart a path to the presidency.

The suggestion immediately provoked Dr Khalwale, who dismissed Salasya's proposal and reminded the young legislator of the support he claimed to have given him during his political rise.

“You see this nonsense Salasya is saying that Edwin Sifuna and Eugene Wamalwa should sit and agree who's going to be the president. That will never happen; Eugene will come and publicly announce that you will back Sifuna,” Dr Khalwale said.

Budalangi MP Raphael Wanjala was also on the receiving end after he was heckled over Khalwale's gubernatorial bid.

Mr Wanjala said every Kenyan had a constitutional right to seek elective office and argued that he had no reason to oppose Khalwale's ambition to become the next Kakamega governor.

“Every Kenyan has a right to be elected. If Khalwale wants to be the next governor, I can't oppose him,” Wanjala said.

His remarks were met with sustained heckling from mourners, with sections of the crowd chanting, “One term!”

Wanjala eventually surrendered the microphone and cut his speech short.

Homa Bay Senator Moses Kajwang used his address to apologise for violence and disruption witnessed during a political gathering in Homa Bay the previous Sunday.

Mr Kajwang said acts of violence and intimidation had no place in contemporary Kenya and insisted that the incidents did not represent either the Luo community or the ODM party.

“As the leader of the people of Homa Bay, I bear political responsibility for the acts of omission and the acts of commission last Sunday in Homa Bay,” Mr Kajwang said.

He offered an unconditional apology and warned that political goonism, if left unchecked, could evolve into organised vigilantism and militias.

He said every part of Kenya should remain open to political competition and that citizens must be allowed to exercise their rights to freedom of expression, association and political alignment.

Former Defence Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa welcomed Mr Kajwang's apology, saying it had helped restore Homa Bay's image.

Wamalwa recalled his links to the region, saying he had studied in Kendu Bay and had long viewed the Luo community as defenders of democracy.

He argued that Homa Bay and the wider Nyanza region, given its history of political struggle and sacrifice, should be the last place to tolerate political intolerance.

Mr Wamalwa then turned his criticism towards President William Ruto, blaming the national government for what he described as a pattern of political violence.

He cited incidents in Malava, Kabuchai and Kasipul-Kabondo and accused the administration of presiding over a political environment in which violence was becoming increasingly common.

“The buck stops with the President of the Republic of Kenya,” Wamalwa said.

He also invoked Ruto's prosecution at the International Criminal Court over the 2007-08 post-election violence, arguing that the President should be sensitive to the dangers of political violence.

Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi also raised concerns over attempts to disrupt Linda Mwananchi rallies.

Mr Osotsi claimed that five individuals were behind plans to cause chaos at Linda Mwananchi rallies in an attempt to portray the movement as responsible for violence.

He warned against framing political confrontations as clashes between Luos and Luhyas.

Reporting originally appeared via Nation Africa. Read the full source for additional context.