Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale has stated that the state was forced to buy Kakamega Deputy Governor Ayub Savula to their side in order to counter his influence in the Malava by-elections.

Speaking during a rally in Malava while popularising Democratic Action Party-K (DAP-K) candidate Seth Panyoko, Khalwale, who defied his party’s stance of supporting United Democratic Alliance (UDA) candidate David Ndakwa, claimed that upon seeing him actively joining the DAP-K campaign trail, the government sought out DAP-K’s deputy party leader, Ayub Savula, and offered him incentives to counter Khalwale on the ground.

Khalwale went on to slam Ayub Savula, saying that the amount offered to Savula had also been extended to him, but he refused. He added that if he had the greed that Savula had, he would have accepted the offer. Khalwale further stated that they had tried to sway him with money three times, but he consistently refused.

Khalwale further claimed that this move was facilitated by President William Ruto’s aide, Farouk Kibet, who, upon realising that most Kakamega MPs had decided to stay out of the Malava by-election, resorted to Savula as a possible force to counter him.

“Baada ya Farouk kuona wabunge wa Kakamega wametoroka rally zake ameenda ametafuta kijana anaitwa Savula, ati aje hapa Kakamega ajibu mimi, savula hio pesa ambayo wametumia kununua ndio hio mimi nimekataa wamenipea mara tatu nikikataa” Khalwale stated.

Also watch: Shinali warns against chaos ahead of Malava by-election.

Savula supporting Ndakwa

This comes days after Ayub Savula, despite being DAP-K’s deputy party leader and expected to lead campaigns in Kakamega, threw his weight behind UDA’s candidate David Ndakwa at the last minute. Savula claimed that he had seen far enough to conclude that DAP-K would lose in the November 27, 2025, mini-polls.

These actions have prompted the party leader, Eugene Wamalwa, to hint at replacing Savula with Mumias East MP Peter Salasya as deputy party leader. According to Wamalwa, the party cannot afford to hold a vacuum, which is why he is seeking a replacement.

“Tulikuwa tume kubaliana, my second deputy party leader a codinate by-election campaigns za Kakamega lakini juzi akaponyoka, bado tuna viongozi ambao watachukuwa nafasi yake, tuko na PK salasya who is qualified to replace Ayub Savula as the second party leader,” Wamalwa said