Is Khalwale set to ditch UDA for Wamalwa’s DAP-K?
By Mabonga Makhanu, November 15, 2025For the recent past, Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale’s political steps show that he is slowly walking out of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and embracing the united opposition by entering the Democratic Action Party (DAPK).
Khalwale, who months ago launched his party, the United Patriotic Front (UPF), which he left to be captained by university students, announced that it would be the vehicle he would use in his quest for the Kakamega gubernatorial position in 2027.
But he now seems to be slowly embracing the Eugene Wamalwa–led DAPK party.
Which is slowly gaining ground in the western region and appears able to scoop a vast majority of the by-election seats in the region.
He recently went against his party’s position, which had settled on David Ndakwa to be its flag bearer in the Malava by-election race, to support Seth Panyako of DAPK.
Despite being the Senate Majority Whip, he defied the party to support the opposition candidate, defending his move by saying that the time has come for Mulembe natives to be respected and not have leaders imposed on them.
During the rallies, he assured the party leader, Eugene Wamalwa, and endorsed him as the region’s spokesman in the united opposition.
He assured him of his support, saying that nobody should undermine him because he is not alone, and that if anyone tells him so, he should tell them that he is with Khalwale, vowing to support him.
These signs show that Eugene might be his party leader in the near future.
Khalwale, on Saturday, November 8, 2025, called upon the united opposition leaders from the western Kenya region to unite so that they can have a strong backing to table when engaging with other principals within the formation.
One candidate in Kakamega
He emphasised that the unity must begin at the grassroots level. He said that he and Malala, who are both harbouring gubernatorial ambitions, must agree to produce one candidate as governor and the other as senator so that the united opposition wins in Kakamega County.
He added that the same approach must be extended to other counties within the Mulembe region, not Kakamega alone, including Nairobi City, where the Luhya people are domiciled in the majority.
Wamalwa’s message to Khalwale
Eugene Wamalwa, while speaking during a radio interview, appeared to hint at Khalwale joining his DAPK team.
He urged Khalwale to join his party and even be considered for a deputy party leader slot, which would replace Kakamega Deputy Governor Ayub Savula, who recently ditched the party at the last minute to support David Ndakwa.
According to Eugene, from the look of things, Khalwale’s stay in UDA seems untenable, and it is only a matter of time before he might be shown the door, since he has already been served with a disciplinary letter.
Khalwale has also helped the party in campaigning for DAPK’s candidate in the Kisa East by-election, Abraham Ayaya. He has been making inroads in the ward accompanied by the party leader and his deputy, George Natembeya, vehemently popularising Ayaya’s bid.