Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala’s gubernatorial bid has received a major boost after former Senator Boni Khalwale appeared to have withdrawn from the race.
Both Malala and Khalwale who are allied to Kenya’s Deputy President William Ruto had earlier expressed their interest to succeed outgoing Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya until last week when they agreed to share the Kakamega county gubernatorial and senatorial seats.
Malala who spoke on Friday, January 28, said they have agreed not to compete against each other in the August 9, General Election but failed to disclose who will vie for which seat.
However, Kivumbi.co.ke has established that Khalwale could have bolted out of the race if the recent remarks by the vocal legislator are anything to go by.
Speaking in Kakamega County when Kenya Kwanza leaders visited the region to popularise their new alliance, Malala outlined a list of promises he said he will prioritize should he succeed outgoing Governor Wycliffe Oparanya.
“As Governor of Kakamega county, all tenders and contracts worth KSh 5 million and below will be awarded to women groups and youth groups to ensure money trickles into the pockets of our women and youth in our rural setups,” Malala said.
He further promised that his government will ensure that he pays lunch money for all public secondary schools across the county should he win the gubernatorial seat.
“As a leader who rose from the gutters, my administration as the Kakamega County Governor will prioritize on the poor and downtrodden in the society,
“No more will students in our public secondary schools pay monies for lunch while at school,” Malala said indicating that he is the one who will fly the UDA flag for the gubernatorial race in the August 9, elections.
