Khalwale skips festive celebrations after losing 2 political allies in a row
By Mabonga Makhanu, December 26, 2025Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale has refused to attend any kind of celebrations and opted to mourn his long-time political allies who have died back-to-back.
While speaking at the home of the late Enoch Kibunguchy on Friday, December 26, 2025, he stated that 2025 has been one of his worst years, as he has lost two of his friends almost at the same time.
He said that while he was still reeling from the tragic news of the death of former Lugari MP Cyrus Jirongo, another shock hit him with the death of Kibunguch, who had been his long-term ally even before they joined politics.
His friendship with Kibunguchy
Khalwale noted that both he and Kibunguchy had a medical background, stating that Kibunguch was the one who ushered him into the profession by showing him how to carry out a caesarean section delivery.
He also recalled how Cyrus Jirongo funded his first foray into elective politics, despite Khalwale supporting Kibunguchy, who was seeking to run against Jirongo before the Lugari and Likuyani constituencies were subdivided.
Khalwale stated that the loss of the two gentlemen was huge to him. He recalled how, a month ago, before the by-elections, he, in the company of Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya, had visited the home of the late leader and made various stopovers in the constituency, only for him to die later.
He said that both Jirongo and Kibunguchy were very dear to him and were the only people on record stating that Khalwale had the capacity to vie for the gubernatorial seat.
Festivals he called off
He added that although he had been invited to the Kabras Cultural Festival, where he has always been the chief guest, he declined to attend.
He also said that he was invited to the Maragoli Cultural Festival, normally held on December 26 in Vihiga, but refused to attend, including Christmas and other celebrations, saying he could not celebrate when two of his political allies had died within a short period.
According to him, Christmas can’t be Christmas without friends.
“Nimekataa kuenda kwa kanisa hata misa ya jana ya 25th nimekataa; nimesema siwezi toka kwa boma. It’s a very bad year. Kabras huwa na sherehe kubwa; mi ndio huwa guest of honour. Nimekataa sijaenda huko. Maragoli pia huwa na sherehe leo; nimekataa sijaenda huko,” he said.
“How can I celebrate when Dr Enock Kibunguchy Mwenyewealinifundisha vile unapasaua mwanamke ndio unatoa mtoto, akiwa hai? How can I celebrate?
“How can I celebrate Christmas? Christmas without friends is not Christmas. How can I celebrate when Cyrus Jirongo is dead?”
Khalwale promised to donate the bulls he uses for bullfighting to serve as food during the funeral of Enoch Kibunguchy, who died at Eldoret Hospital while receiving treatment.
The deaths of the two leaders come as a coincidence, with Kibunguchy having taken over from Jirongo, and both passing away around the same period.
This comes days after making a similar visit to Jirongo’s home a day after his death.