Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala has revealed that he has agreed with his predecessor Boni Khalwale to share the Kakamega county gubernatorial and senatorial seats.
Both Malala and Khalwale who are allied to Kenya’s Deputy President William Ruto had expressed interest to succeed outgoing Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya, who is serving his second and last constitutional term.
But speaking on Friday, January 28, in Bungoma during a joint rally of William Ruto, ANC leader Musalia Mudavadi and Ford Kenya leader Moses Wetang’ula, Malala said they have agreed not to compete against each other in the August 9, General Election.
“We have agreed with Khalwale, who is my senior. One of us will be the Senator while the other will be the Governor,” Malala revealed.
The vocal legislator, however, did not reveal who will be dropping out of the gubernatorial seat for the other.
The two also agreed to drum support for William Ruto’s political camp which is expected to give ODM leader Raila Odinga a run for his money.
Their resolution to share Kakamega top seats comes just days after the two political heavyweights held a meeting that is believed to have majorly centered on the power-sharing deal.
“Pleased to have had lunch with Cleophas Malala of ANC Party,” Khalwale said in a photo posted alongside Malala.
Their mid-January meeting came a few days before the deputy president, former vice-president and Bungoma Senator Moses Wetang’ula announced that they will work together in the upcoming General Election.
“We will work with Amani National Congress, Ford Kenya, and like-minded parties that want to walk this journey of bringing Kenyans together,” William Ruto said during Musalia Mudavadi’s earthquake announcement on Sunday.