Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale has been expelled from the Senate after making controversial claims that former President Uhuru Kenyatta intervened in the release of two Kenyans detained in Uganda. Khalwale drew a comparison between Kenyans stuck in foreign countries and the case of Bob Njagi and Nicholas Oyoo, criticizing the government for its inaction.
“On this issue of these children who are locked up out of the country, they are no different from the two Kenyan political activists who were locked up in Uganda. It disturbs me that it took the intervention of the former president and not the current president,” Khalwale alleged during a Senate sitting.
The remarks sparked immediate reactions, with Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei challenging Khalwale to provide evidence supporting his claims. Cherargei insisted that hearsay allegations, especially those originating from Khalwale’s constituency, should not be brought to the Senate without proof.
Senate Speaker Amason Kingi supported Cherargei’s demand, emphasizing that Khalwale needed to substantiate his claims beyond reasonable doubt. However, Khalwale refused, arguing that discussions in the Senate did not require evidence for obvious matters.
“From my experience, Cherargei should know that a ruling has been made that a member is not expected to substantiate the obvious,” Khalwale stated.
The Speaker pressed Khalwale to either provide proof or apologize. Khalwale declined, citing freedom of speech, which led to a direct ruling from Kingi.
“If you cannot substantiate, the other option is not to keep quiet; keeping quiet is not an option under our Standing Orders. If you cannot substantiate, you proceed to withdraw and apologise,” Kingi said.
Ultimately, Khalwale’s refusal to apologize resulted in his expulsion from the Senate chamber. “You are choosing to stay silent; therefore, it means you failed to substantiate, and the natural consequence will flow, and I will rule you out of order and ask you to leave the chamber,” Kingi ordered.
This incident highlights the delicate balance between freedom of speech and parliamentary rules, underscoring the consequences of making unverified allegations in legislative proceedings.
