In a video posted on Twitter on Friday, November 22, former Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale reveals his close relationship with Deputy President William Ruto during the grand-coalition government that could have informed his current loyalty to the DP.
Khalwale narrates how while Ruto was Minister for Higher Education, he ensured the construction of three polytechnics in the Western region after they approached him adding that ODM leader Raila Odinga, then Prime Minister had given them a cold reception.
“We had to use our ways to get to William Ruto who was the Minister for [Higher] Education. We had gone to Raila but he failed to assist us despite the massive support we had given him in the 2007 general elections,” remarked Khalwale.
The senator further explains how Ruto was instrumental in ensuring the Western region received the institutions as requested.
“Ruto gave us Kushakhala Training Institute for our people to benefit in technical courses training.
“He also gave us Shikhalakhala National Polytechnic that serves Shinyalu and Ikholomani constituencies people. The third institution was Shamberere Technical Training Institute in Kakamega county,” added Khalwale
The former Ikholomani MP who metamorphosised from DP Ruto’s fiercest critic to his number one supporter in the Western region further expressed his resolve to vie for the 2022 gubernatorial position in Kakamega County, a race he lost in 2017.
“Such affiliations with great people like Ruto are what makes me pursue my dream of becoming Kakamega county governor. I will not relent in it,” insisted Dr. Khalwale.
Boni Khalwale has continued to radically show his support for DP Ruto since he ditched the Ford-Kenya Party on May 17 where he was the deputy party leader.
Khalwale's most notable manifestation of his unwavering support for the deputy president was in the November 7 Kibra mini-poll where he was forced to arm himself with stones against residents on election day as an agent for Jubilee candidate Macdonald Mariga - a candidate presumed to have been fronted by DP Ruto.
Mariga lost in the by-election to ODM candidate Imran Okoth who was sworn in on November 19.
