Khalwale: Ruto cannot crack Kakamega without me in 2027
By Joel Masibo, October 26, 2025Kakamega County Senator Boni Khalwale has claimed that President William Ruto’s acceptance in Kakamega will be tough without him as the Head of State seeks his second term in office in the 2027 general election.
Speaking ahead of the November 27, 2025, by-elections, the legislator has warned President Ruto against belittling the influence he has at the grassroots level, insisting that Ruto’s votes in Kakamega will depend on the relationship the two leaders will have by then.
At the same time, Khalwale has cautioned that by Ruto looking down upon the Malava Constituency’s DAP-K parliamentary by-election candidate, Seth Panyako, his goose in Kakamega is cooked ahead of the 2027 presidential polls.
Panyako is set to face off against David Ndakwa of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) in the November 27, 2025, by-elections, triggered by the death of the previous MP, Malulu Injendi, in February 2025.
Khalwale has also added that Kakamega residents deserve a share of the national cake because they contributed in making Ruto the president in 2022.
Development agenda
”The development we are asking for is not because of the by-election; it is because we are demanding a payback for voting for the president. Whether we vote for our candidate or yours, Your Excellency, it is we who you will run to in 2027 when things get thick,” Khalwale said in a video posted on his social media pages on Sunday, October 26, 2025.
He cautioned Ruto against taking counsel from the Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi regarding Kakamega politics.
Also watch: Malulu Injendi’s son concedes defeat in UDA primaries, accuses Mudavadi of interference
Ruto misled
”Someone advising you to belittle Panyako, Khalwale… President Ruto, let me tell you, 2027 will be tough. That is when you will realise that here in Kakamega, you need Khalwale to succeed; that is when you will know that in Kakamega, you need Seth Panyako to succeed. That Mudavadi, who is misleading you, claiming to be influential in Kakamega, let his influence start in Vihiga,” Khalwale added.
Ahead of the November by-elections, opposition leaders from Western Kenya have criticised the heavy presence of government officials, led by President William Ruto’s aide, Farouk Kibet, accusing them of planning to interfere with the process and impose leaders on the people.
In a statement on his Facebook page on Monday, October 13, 2025, Panyako described his candidature as best suited for the people of Malava and the entire Mulembe nation.
“The Malava by-election is more than a vote; it’s a revolution. I’m not just a DAP-K candidate but a representative of the Luhya Nation. Doubters beware—you’ll be overtaken by the unstoppable wave beginning in Malava,” Panyako wrote on Facebook.