The Senate was on Tuesday treated to a special announcement after Speaker Amason Kingi read a correspondence from Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot confirming changes to the Senate leadership.
“I have received changes in the senate majority whip leadership , a resolution was past to remove the senate Majority whip senator Dr Boni khalwale and the majority party elected , Bungoma senator , David Wafula.”
The communication cited Senate Standing Order 22(5), which allows the removal of a Majority Whip through a vote by senators from the majority party. Standing Order 22(7) further requires that any such decision be formally communicated to the Speaker together with minutes of the meeting convened for the removal.
Khalwale’s ouster is the latest escalation in his standoff with the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), following accusations that he openly defied the party during the Malava by-election by supporting a rival candidate.
Multiple senior figures within UDA say the senator’s actions amounted to political betrayal, triggering a disciplinary process that has now cost him his powerful whip position—and potentially threatens his long-term future in the ruling party.
Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei was among those who came out strongly against Khalwale, saying:
“Senator Bonnie khalwale of kakamega county must pay for his political sins for challenging his sponsoring UDA Party in the recent Malava constituency by-elections by campaigning against our candidate. His contempt remarks against the UDA Party/Kenya kwanza administration cannot go unpunished.”
He added, “We are going to make him an example of not undermining your own political Party and bring back political hygiene under Political Parties Act..”
The UDA Disciplinary Committee had formally written to Khalwale, accusing him of gross misconduct and describing his conduct during the by-election as “open, vocal, conspicuous and substantial.” Party officials argue the senator undermined UDA unity at a critical moment, prompting calls for swift enforcement of discipline.
But Khalwale has remained defiant. Speaking in Malava shortly after tensions escalated, he dismissed attempts to push him out of the Senate leadership.
“There is no compromise. Those threats of firing me. They are forcing me to take a stand against my community for a mere position.”
He has insisted that his loyalty lies first with the people of Kakamega, not party headquarters, and has hinted that he may walk away from UDA if pressure intensifies remarks that have deepened the rift between him and senior officials.
The self-proclaimed bullfighter has also been increasingly vocal in criticizing the government under the ruling UDA, a move that analysts say has further strained relations.
A Growing List of Setbacks
Khalwale’s troubles have mounted in recent weeks. He was recently ordered to leave the Senate chamber over a dress-code violation, an incident widely seen as part of the political tension surrounding him. Days before the Malava by-election, his security detail was withdrawna move he interpreted as intimidation.
Despite the growing pressure, Khalwale insists he will not retreat, saying no amount of political muscle-flexing will stop him from defending the interests of his community.
His case forms part of a wider crackdown within UDA targeting MPs and senators who defied party directives during the by-election season. Senior figures have signaled that disciplinary actionincluding removal from committees and leadership roles—will be enforced against “rebellious” lawmakers.
Both UDA and ODM have publicly indicated plans to purge members who campaigned against their own nominees, marking a significant escalation in internal party discipline across major political formations.
