Democracy Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) party leader Eugene Wamalwa has opened the door for Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale to join his outfit, stating that the senator has been unfairly targeted within the ruling UDA party after being ousted as the majority whip in the Senate.
Speaking in Butula, Busia County, on December 6, during the installation ceremony of the Mareba clan king, Wamalwa said Khalwale was being fought because he has consistently stood up for the respect and dignity of the Luhya community.
"I want to tell the bullfighter Boni Khalwale, if they don't want you in UDA, welcome to DAP-K. This is our home and the door is open to everyone," Wamalwa declared.
He criticised UDA for ousting Khalwale from his position as Senate Majority Whip, describing the move as punitive and politically motivated.
Wamalwa also defended Khalwale's decision to back DAP-K candidate Seth Panyako in the recently concluded Malava by-election, noting that the region had shown remarkable unity across party lines.
"We have a great chance to come together. We saw this in the Malava by-election. We came together, even those from different political parties," he stated.
Khalwale was removed from his role in the Senate on December 2, after his party accused him of disloyalty and for supporting a rival candidate in the by-election, against his party's candidate.
Senate speaker Amason Kingi announced his dramatic ouster, and his Bungoma counterpart, Wakoli Wafula, replaced him.
"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, December 2.
Before his removal, UDA, through its secretary general Hassan Omar, dared him to resign from the party if he genuinely believed he was popular enough.
"If you think you're that popular, resign like Raila Odinga once did and face us in a contest," Omar stated during the party's media on Friday, November 28.
As the majority whip, Khalwale was responsible for enforcing party discipline and coordinating the passage of key legislation.
Before Wamalwa invited him to DAP-K, Khalwale had already signalled that he intended to vie for the Kakamega gubernatorial seat under a new political party in 2027. Now, the public awaits whether Khalwale will accept Wamalwa's offer or chart his own political path by forming a new party ahead of the 2027 general election.
