Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale has officially lost his Senate Majority Whip Position in a dramatic turn of events.
Khalwale was stripped of his role by his UDA party, and Senate Speaker Amason Kingi confirmed this after receiving correspondence from the ruling party.
"From the correspondence, the minutes indicate that a resolution was passed to remove the Senate Majority Whip Boni Khalwale in accordance with standing order 225," Kingi stated during a Senate plenary session on Tuesday.
Khalwale's ouster takes effect immediately. He has been replaced by Bungoma Senator David Wakoli Wafula.
"Standing order 228 provides that the speaker, upon receipt of the decision, shall verify the correspondence received and deliver a communication to the Senate within 3 sitting days. I have verified the correspondence and can confirm the majority party has effected a change in the office of the Senate majority whip, and the new office holder with immediate effect is Senator David Wafula," Kingi said.
Khalwale, who was present during the official announcement of his ouster, wore a solemn look in the Senate, presumably because he expected the outcome.
His removal effectively sees sections of his powers watered down since as Senate majority whip, he was responsible for enforcing party discipline and coordinating the passage of key legislation.
There were signs that all was not well in Khalwale's relationship with UDA after his Nandi counterpart Samsom Cherargei openly vowed the party would 'discipline' him for defiance.
This was after the Kakamega Senator joined forces with opposition leaders, including Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya and DAP-Kenya leader Eugene Wamalwa to campaign for Seth Panyako.
Panyako ultimately lost the by-election in Malava, with UDA' David Ndakwa clinching the seat in a hotly contested race.
On Tuesday, Cherargei claimed Khalwale will for part of a long list of UDA and ODM rebels who would immediately lose their parliamentary roles and face disciplinary action from their parties.
"There are our UDA MPs and those from the broad-based party ODM who supported our opponents in the by-elections. Tomorrow, we will begin the process of removing them from the leadership of the parliament," Cherargei warned.
