Former Kakamega senator Boni Khalwale has drummed up support for Cleophas Malala’s bitter rival Fernandes Barasa.
In a move that appears to puncture Malala’s gubernatorial seat, the ex-legislator exuded confidence that the ODM candidate will win the hotly contested seat.
Khalwale, who held a series of political rallies in Kakamega to drum up support for his senatorial seat urged the residents to vote for him and the Azimio la Umoja candidate, saying it would unite the already divided county.
“Yule mwanaume mnaita Fernandes Barasa anatafta kiti cha ugavana kwa tikiti ya ODM na bahati ikimuangukia atakuwa gavana wa Kakamega. Tafadhali mnipee Kura ya useneta hata kama mnapea Ugavana Fernandez Barasa wa ODM,” Khalwale said.
Loosely translated to: “The man you call Fernandes Barasa is seeking the governor’s seat on an ODM ticket and if luck falls on him he will be the next governor of Kakamega. But please I beg you to vote for me as your next senator even if you will vote for Fernandes to be your second governor.”
Last month, the vocal legislator shelved his gubernatorial ambitions in favor of Senator Cleophas Malala.
While announcing his decision on Wednesday, March 23, after meeting Kenya Kwanza principals William Ruto (UDA), Musalia Mudavadi (ANC), and Moses Wetang’ula (Ford Kenya), Khalwale said that someone was using them as pawns so that they fight each other to scuttle Ruto from winning the Western votes.
“I, therefore, want to confirm that being a student of Michael Wamalwa Kijana, who taught us that when you step back one step, it makes it easier for your community to gain more,
“I want to announce to the people of my community that when you are a utility player, you accept the position that your coach deploys you to. Today I am pleased to inform the rest of the country that I will be vying for the position of senator of Kakamega County,” Khalwale said.
While Khalwale said the decision to shelve his gubernatorial race was voluntary, it appears that he was forced into a raw deal with Cleophas Malala.
