Kakamega Senator Bonni Khalwale appears increasingly unsure about whether to back President William Ruto’s re-election bid, sending mixed signals just days after his political camp suffered a setback in the Malava by-election. His latest remarks suggest a leader torn between loyalty to the President and growing political frustrations within the UDA fold.
Speaking on Sunday, December 7, #Khalwale said he sees no reason why President Ruto should fail to secure a second term in 2027, noting Kenya’s tradition of presidents serving two consecutive terms. But he quickly added that Ruto could break that trend if he “plays his politics badly” ahead of the next election.
“The country has a history of all our presidents getting a second term. I don’t see why William Ruto should be an exception,” he said. “The only way he can be an exception is if his politics are done badly. You can be winning, and then you spoil.”
Khalwale also revisited his controversial October comments in which he warned that the 2027 race would be difficult for the President. He now insists his remarks were misinterpreted, saying he merely cautioned that things could get tough — not that Ruto’s re-election was in jeopardy. “If I wanted to say things are difficult, I would have said it,” he noted, adding that he had previously told Ruto that more development projects would make it easier to campaign for him.
Despite the mixed messaging, the Senator maintained that Ruto remains his preferred 2027 candidate – at least for now. “Up to now, President William Ruto has not failed to be my candidate of choice,” he said.
Khalwale’s shifting tone comes amid internal turmoil after he was removed as Senate Majority Whip and replaced by Bungoma Senator Wafula Wakoli on December 2. The change, announced by Senate Speaker Amason Kingi, is widely seen as a disciplinary action following Khalwale’s open opposition to UDA candidate David Ndakwa in the Malava by-election.
The disputed poll saw Ndakwa win with 21,564 votes against DAP-K’s Seth Panyako, who garnered 20,210 votes. Khalwale rejected the results, terming the exercise “fundamentally flawed” – a stance that has placed him on a collision path with the party leadership and fueled questions about his future in Ruto’s political camp. #PresidentWilliamRuto #BonniKhalwale #2027