Unhappy deputy president William Ruto summoned Kakamega incumbent senator and gubernatorial hopeful Cleophas Malala and former legislator Boni Khalwale yesterday night to iron out the brewing political differences between the two legislative aspirants that threaten to sabotage Kenya Kwanza truce in the region.
According to Idakho North (Ikolomani) United Democratic Alliance (UDA) aspirant Benard Lukulu, DP Ruto summoned the duo late at night at his official residence in Karen to spearhead the reconciliation between the duo following the bitter fight that rented last week’s joint campaign rally in Matungu.
“Deputy President William Ruto is happy about Malala and Khalwale fallout and he has chipped in to end the fight,” said Benard Lukulu
They accused each other of allegedly supporting their opponents for the August contest.
Malala accused Khalwale of allegedly softening the political ground for former Kenya Electricity Transmission Company Managing Director, Fernandez Barasa’s gubernatorial bid while Khalwale faulted Malala for secretly supporting Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) candidate Brian Lushenga for the senatorial seat.
Genesis of Malala-Khalwale clash
Last week, Khalwale expressly declined to rally electorates to support Malala for the gubernatorial position but instead averred that the voters are at liberty to vote for whoever they want for the county’s top seat in the forthcoming election.
“Both Malala and Fernandez Barasa are our own children. And it is up to the voters to decide who you will elect as your governor in the next election. I am the best performer and my track record speaks for itself, vote for me as your senator” he said during the rally in the presence of Malala.
Irate Malala supporters were forced to stone and chase Khalwale from the rally, portraying bruise fallout between the two Kenya Kwanza aspirants.
Khalwale dropped his gubernatorial bid in favour of Malala following the consensus negotiations among the Kenya kwanza principals.
Malala is eyeing for Kakamega gubernatorial seat on Amani National Congress (ANC) party ticket while Khalwale seeking to replace Malala for the senatorial seat on the UDA ticket.
