Editor's Review

Kakamega County Senator Boni Khalwale has defended his recent criticism of President William Ruto's administration. 

Kakamega County Senator Boni Khalwale has defended his recent criticism of President William Ruto's administration, insisting that his remarks are not acts of betrayal but rather a demonstration of principled leadership.

Speaking on Wednesday, July 30, Khalwale maintained his stance to keep the government in check, saying his loyalty lies with the nation first.

“It's a matter of choice. You can view yourself as a party supporter, an individual presidential supporter, or a government supporter. You also have the choice to stand out as a leader in the nation,” Khalwale stated.

Revisiting the political pact that brought him into Ruto’s camp, Khalwale noted that the decision to support the president was guided by a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), which included clear expectations around development.

“I have no apologies to make for reminding the president that we entered into an MOU when we decided to support him. The terms and conditions of the MOU are known, the roads, the hospitals, our institutions of business, governance, and learning were on the menu,” he said.

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Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale

Citing a specific instance, Khalwale recalled his opposition to the government’s decision to privatize state-owned sugar companies, a move he believes would undermine the interests of his community.

“The first time I criticized the government was when it decided to privatize sugar companies. I refused,” he said. “There’s no way you’re going to privatize industrial land 12.5 hectares in Mumias nucleus farm, 24.5 hectares in Nzoia, and give it to whoever, without us maintaining our stake. I would have betrayed the leaders from our community who came before us.”

While he acknowledged that some of Ruto’s supporters choose to back him unconditionally, he dismissed such behavior as ‘sycophancy’.

“There are supporters who will support the president on everything and anything, which is good. But sometimes that is called sycophancy,” Khalwale stated. “Then there are others, like myself, who support the president on the right things, and speak out when things are not moving the country in the right direction.”