Former Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale on Monday, January 31 met with leaders of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party who endorsed his candidature for the gubernatorial seat.
In a statement by Khalwale, he stated that he was grateful for the endorsement he received from the ODM leaders.
The meeting of the leaders come after Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala stated they would find a working formula on who would represent the UDA/ANC alliance in the August polls.
"This morning, I held a breakfast meeting with Ikolomani North the ODM party leaders. Am so grateful that they took the opportunity to endorse me for Kakamega Governor 2022," he stated.
The meeting came after media reports that Deputy President William Ruto's UDA has ceded the Kakamega gubernatorial seat as part of the coalition agreement with ANC party leader Musalia Mudavadi.
However, Khalwale's ally, Mumias East MP Benjamin Washiali insisted that the Ruto/Mudavadi deal resolved that UDA would take the governor's seat while ANC's Malala would retain the Senate seat.
"And some people asked me to go and be senator while Khalwale is governor. Mudavadi and Ruto disagreed with that point. I came later on and found out that they also wanted ANC to get a position in Kakamega and a seat from the ANC-UDA union.
"Our Gubernatorial candidate in Kenya kwanza Alliance for Governor position of Kakamega is from UDA party and the Senator from ANC party. All other positions are open to any party. The media should stop speculations and get that clear," he stated.
UDA Chairman Johnson Muthama has since called on the media and its supporters to stop speculating on the coalition agreement with ANC and Ford Kenya - insisting that their union was not based on an MoU but on friendship.
Previously, UDA had released a statement following media reports which indicated that Ruto and Mudavadi had opted to use zoning to select candidates to field candidates in various positions across the counties.
Additionally, Mudavadi was to be given the position of Chief Minister while Bungoma Senator Moses Wetangula was to retain his seat. However, UDA refuted the deal stating that no agreement had been reached between the principals.
"Our cooperation has and continues to create earthquake tremors across the political scene of our country and our competitors are sponsoring such fake or speculative headlines in order to achieve a certain narrative," read the statement.
