Ruto had promised me cabinet slot but shortchanged me; Khalwale
Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale has claimed that President William Ruto failed to honour a political promise made to him ahead of the 2022 General Election.
Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale has claimed that President William Ruto failed to honour a political promise made to him ahead of the 2022 General Election.
Speaking during an interview with a vernacular radio station on Thursday, March 26, 2026, Khalwale said he was asked to step down from the Kakamega gubernatorial race in favour of Cleophas Malala and was subsequently offered a choice between serving as a Cabinet Secretary or taking up the Speaker position, opting for the former.
He stated that Ruto assured him he would be appointed Health Cabinet Secretary once ministers were named, but was later “shortchanged”.
“After asking me to step down from the Kakamega gubernatorial race in favour of Malala, Ruto asked me to choose between a Cabinet Secretary position and the Speaker role. I chose to be a CS, and he told me that when he appointed his ministers, I would be the health cabinet secretary.
However, he later shortchanged me,” Khalwale stated.
Waiguru sets Ksh1 billion debt clearance as condition for Ruto re-election in Mt Kenya
Court clears former NLC chair Mohammed Swazuri in KSh 221M land fraud case
JSC announces 108 job vacancies
Two KDF soldiers arrested over robbery plot targeting senior military officer
He added that just like the time Moses Wetang’ula was defending his seat, Ruto equally urged him to vie for the senatorial seat, but at the right time, when he would be naming his cabinet, he and Wetang’ula could have resigned from their roles and joined the government with him as health cabinet secretary and Wetang’ula as speaker.
Khalwale says he then approached the then deputy president, Rigathi Gachagua, and requested to be considered for Senate leadership, specifically the position of Senate Majority Leader.
Gachagua agreed, but when the Senate leadership was finally announced, the position was handed to Kericho Senator Aaron Cheruiyot, whom Khalwale considers a junior in Parliament, having served for over 12 years before Cheruiyot’s entry.
“I told the deputy president, duly elected; I told him that now the president has named a cabinet, let me take leadership in the Senate.” He said yes. “Then the president named a young guy who came into parliament in the 12th year when I had already served 12 years in parliament.”
As a consolation, Khalwale was given the majority whip position, which he says he took up with dedication and vowed to become one of the most effective whips the Senate has ever had.
Ramaphosa barred from G7 Summit in France after US pressure, South Africa says
Political parties tribunal delivers ruling on Sifuna’s ouster
Vivo Energy Kenya issues notice amid fuel shortage at select Shell stations
Missing medical officer found dead in shallow grave in Nyamira
Follow us
