Senator Khalwale Tells Off Deputy President Kindiki Over Kakamega Politics

Kakamega County Senator Bonny Khalwale has publicly rebuked Deputy President Kithure Kindiki for perceived interference in the county’s 2027 succession politics, asserting that local voters will decide their next governor without external influence. Speaking at a July 26, 2025 rally in Shimanyiro, Khalwale accused Kindiki of overstepping by endorsing current Governor Fernandes Barasa for a second term and told the Deputy President: If you’ve failed to control your region, don’t think you’ll come here to decide who will be elected.
Khalwale used the occasion not only to chastise Kindiki but also to announce his own bid for the 2027 gubernatorial seat via the newly formed United Patriotic Movement (UPM). He challenged both Kindiki and Speaker Moses Wetang’ula for what he described as external meddling and political grandstanding under the guise of empowerment programs. He insisted that Kakamega’s electorate should be free from outside manipulation and that the county’s political destiny rests with its own people.
The reaction to Khalwale’s comments has been swift. Supporters applauded his defiant tone as a stand for county autonomy, while critics warned that his challenge risks deepening factional divides within Western Kenya’s political landscape. Analysts note that Kakamega’s political terrain—already complicated by inter‑party rivalries and evolving national alliances—is becoming a key battleground for the 2027 elections, and that Khalwale’s declaration signals a more assertive posture by local actors resisting national heavyweight influence.
Looking ahead, the unfolding contest may redefine how power is brokered in Kakamega. If Khalwale builds momentum and secures his party’s nomination, his campaign could recalibrate local alliances and weaken the grip of national figures in county politics. Conversely, should Kindiki and Barasa consolidate their support, Khalwale’s challenge may become a cautionary tale of overreach. The next year will show whether local autonomy or national leverage will win the day.