Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale has publicly revealed why he abandoned President William Ruto and the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) to support former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiangi.
The Senator made the disclosure during a rally in Ekerenyo, Nyamira County, on November 23, 2025, when he joined Matiangi and other opposition leaders campaigning for the united opposition candidate in the Nyasiongo Ward by-election.
Khalwale, who won his senatorial seat under the UDA ticket, said he held a four-hour meeting with Matiangi when the former Interior CS announced his presidential bid. “Matiangi, you turned me when you told me that upon being elected President you shall apply ‘brutal government efficiency,'” Khalwale said.
The Senator criticized President Ruto’s vision of making Kenya a first-world country, claiming the plan was unrealistic due to rampant corruption within his government.
Since then, Khalwale has actively campaigned for opposition candidates in ongoing by-elections, abandoning UDA nominees. He has been particularly vocal in supporting DAP-K candidate Seth Panyako in the Malava parliamentary by-election, while openly decampaigning UDA’s David Ndakwa.
Khalwale’s move has drawn criticism from Kenya Kwanza leaders, who accuse him of disloyalty to the party that brought him to power. In October, UDA reportedly wrote to Khalwale, demanding a show-cause letter explaining why disciplinary action should not be taken against him for backing opposition candidates.
Despite the backlash, Khalwale continues to align himself with opposition figures, emphasizing his desire for government accountability and efficiency. His public switch underscores growing divisions within UDA as the 2025 elections approach and highlights the momentum building for Matiangi’s presidential campaign.
