Is Boni Khalwale quietly crossing over to the United Opposition?
By Mabonga Makhanu, October 8, 2025It is now evident that Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale’s time in government is coming to an end, and he might soon join the United Opposition.
A man who was once at the centre of the current regime, Khalwale is among the founding members of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party, together with former Machakos Senator and UDA Chairman Johnson Muthama, who unsuccessfully contested for the county head position but was defeated by Wavinya Ndeti.
His recent political moves strongly suggest that he is on his way out and might soon fully embrace the United Opposition.
The senator has in the past announced his departure from the ruling UDA party, which sponsored him to parliament and gave him an opportunity to serve in the Senate leadership as the Majority Whip.
Betrayal by Ruto
He claimed that the president had promised him the health cabinet secretary position, but when the appointments were announced, he was missing from the list. This, according to him, prompted him to approach the then Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who intervened to secure him a place in the Senate leadership.
Khalwale went on to launch his own party, the United Patriotic Movement (UPM), which he said was founded by university students. He announced that he would use the party to vie for the Kakamega gubernatorial seat in 2027, claiming that the ruling party now supports his opponent, Governor Fernandes Barasa.
Supporting Seth Panyako
His decision to support the Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) candidate Seth Panyako over his own party’s candidate David Ndakwa in the Malava by-election also speaks volumes.
This clearly shows that he is on his way out. Khalwale came out to endorse Seth Panyako, stating that his preferred choice was the late Malulu Injendi’s son, Ryan Injendi, but after losing in the primaries, he decided to throw his weight behind Panyako.
After presenting Seth Panyako to the IEBC for clearance, Khalwale assured Eugene Wamalwa of his support as he continues engaging with opposition leaders.
Vowed to support Wamalwa
He urged Wamalwa not to be discouraged by critics mocking him for associating with figures such as former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i, Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, and DCP party leader Rigathi Gachagua.
He said Wamalwa should not feel isolated for lacking visible support from Western Kenya, pledging to stand firmly by his side.
“Wamalwa anatembea na Kalonzo Musyoka, Fred Matiang’i, Rigathi Gachagua wanamchekelea kwamba wewe uko na nani. Wamalwa, sikia, kuanzia leo ambia wenzako you will never walk alone, kwa sababu uko na bullfighter Senator Boni Khalwale,” Khalwale said.
He was very careful with his statement so as not to appear to be ditching Kenya Kwanza.
Softrning stance on Gachagua
The senator also seemed to have softened his stance on former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
Recently, during a Senate sitting, he stated that despite having disagreed with Gachagua politically in the past due to what he referred to as a “tribal mindset”, he admires how the former DP listens to the ground, urging the Senate to do the same in their dealings.
His move to constantly attack leaders from the region who are deeply rooted in government, such as Musalia Mudavadi, whom he accused of being behind Ryan Injendi’s loss in the UDA primaries, also suggests that he has one foot in government and the other in opposition. At the right time, he might step fully into the opposition.
Ditching government
The above characteristics reflect a man who is slowly planning to leave his party and join the opposition. His association with Eugene Wamalwa cannot be ignored, as he might be using Wamalwa to find his place in the United Opposition, where Wamalwa is a key figure.
For any political observer, it is clear that Khalwale’s spirit lies deep in the opposition and not in government, as he sometimes appears to be.