Khalwale Calls Out Raila After Uhuru's Retirement Statement

Former Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale on Thursday, October 17, lashed out at opposition leader Raila Odinga after President Uhuru Kenyatta declared that he would retire in 2022.

Khalwale on his Facebook called out Raila claiming that he was among the top leaders who wanted the president to continue his tenure even after his term came to an end.

"Congratulations Your Excellency! And how con artists tried to entice you! Raila Odinga (with tongue in cheek) called you, my elder brother, Francis Atwoli said you are too young to retire and Kalonzo asked you to be our president for life! Wakora (con men)! Bure Kabisa!" the post read.

Boni Khalwale, Ford Kenya leader Moses Wetangula and ODM leader Raila Odinga at a past meeting. Photo: Daily Nation.

The former senator attacked the key opposition figures in what was construed as a continued attempt to cement his relationship with Deputy President William Ruto, the apparent presumptive presidential candidate for Jubilee.

Khalwale ditched the Ford Kenya party that he had passionately defended for Jubilee, and has since been visibly drumming candidates as he seeks to reinvent his political career dented by his loss of the senator seat.

Uhuru Kenyatta mentioned that he would retire at the end of his current term while launching the second phase of the Standard Gauge Railway in Ongata Rongai on Wednesday, October 16.

The President dismissed rumours that the current push for the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) was motivated by the need to create a political seat for him after his term.

According to the Daily Nation on Thursday, October 17, Uhuru claimed that BBI was about making sure no Kenyan lost their lives due to politics.

"Na hio barabara (BBI) tutafikisha pamoja na ndugu Raila na viongozi wengine wa Kenya kwa hivyo msidanganywe jameni. Mpende nchi yenu, mjipende nyinyi wenyewe, mjiheshimu nyinyi wenyewe na mimi sina shaka tutatoboa hii safari. (BBI will be realised together with Raila and other Kenyan leaders, so don't be deceived. Love your country and respect yourselves because I have no doubts we will succeed in this journey)," Uhuru reiterated.

Uhuru Kenyatta officially launching the Nairobi-Suswa SGR on Wednesday, October 16. Photo: The Standard.