Former Senator Boni Khalwale has withdrawn from Kakamega gubernatorial race.
In a press briefing attended by Deputy President William Ruto on Wednesday, March 23, the outspoken leader revealed that he would instead go for the Kakamega Senatorial seat.
The decision comes after a discussion between Ruto's United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party and Amani National Congress (ANC) leaders regarding the county's best gubernatorial candidate between Khalwale and current Senator Cleophas Malala.
"This is a very exciting moment. I remember when the deputy President stepped forward to lead the hustler nation, one thing was clear. He told us that he wanted to bring the forgotten majority onto the decision-making table. He insisted that it was never about positions.
"He also told us that it was never about the decision but the destiny of our children. When you come to Kakamega and find Senator Malala and me. Somebody wants to use Malala and me as pawns so that we waste time fighting each other, which contradicts the dream of Deputy President William Ruto of us avoiding positions. Similarly, it contradicts the voter in the mountain who is saying it is not about the position but the welfare of the people," stated the politician.
He further explained that he accepted to pursue the senatorial seat arguing that he would be better placed to serve his constituents in Kakamega.
"Being a student of Michael Kijana Wamalwa, I now want to announce to the people of my community that when you are a good player, you accept the position that the coach deploys you to.
"Today. I am pleased to announce that I have stepped up so that I focus more on the common agenda that covers our people. I am presenting myself as the candidate for the position of the Senator of the County of Kakamega," he added.
Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala, who was in attendance, accepted the alliance's endorsement of him as the Kakamega gubernatorial aspirant and thanked Khalwale for his bold move referring to him as a political father figure.
"With a lot of humility, I wish to accept the nomination for me to run as the Governor of Kakamega County.
"I wish to thank my political father, former Senator Boni Khalwale, for ceding ground and he has not done so because I am a better leader but because of the sacrifice and the bigger picture Kenya Kwanza is looking at," he stated.
Prior to the alliance between UDA and ANC that birthed the Kenya Kwanza, Khalwale was Ruto's point-man in Western Kenya and the most preferred gubernatorial candidate for Kakamega County.
Below is the video:
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