Vocal politician Boni Khalwale has finally shelved his Kakamega gubernatorial bid to support Cleophas Malala, the former to go for the Kakamega Senatorial seat after consensus talks brokered by Deputy President William Ruto at his official Karen residence.
Announcing the new development, DP William Ruto said the move followed extensive consultations within the alliance aimed at building a formidable coalition.
Khalwale will now run for the county’s senatorial seat on a UDA ticket, thanks to a deal brokered by Ruto and Amani National Co party leader Musalia Mudavadi.
“I want to announce that for Kakamega County, the honourable Bonny Khalwale has accepted to run for senator and has ceded ground for honourable Cleophas Malala to run for the position of governor of the county,” said Ruto.
Mudavadi said the two leaders had set an example for the rest of the political competitors across the country to follow.
“They have set an example we want to pursue in dealing with our members of Kenya Kwanza in other areas so that we can have a consensus among candidates,” he said.
Malala will be seeking to replace Wycliffe Oparanya whose second and last term is coming to an end after the August 9 polls.
He will face off with the Former Kenya Electricity Transmission Company Limited (KETRACO) CEO Fernandes Barasa who will be vying on an ODM ticket among other candidates.