Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale speaking during a burial service on July 12, 2025. /SCREENGRABThe assumption of office by the newly sworn-in Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) team, led by Erastus Ethekon, has triggered campaign activity in regions currently without elected representatives.
The long delay in reconstituting the IEBC had stalled the timely conduct of by-elections in several areas, including Kasipul and Malava constituencies, where the seats fell vacant following the deaths of their sitting MPs.
In Malava, the seat became vacant after the death of Member of Parliament Malulu Injendi on February 17 while receiving treatment at the Aga Khan Hospital in Nairobi.
Injendi, who had been ailing for weeks and was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit, was serving his third term.
In Kasipul, MP Charles Ong'ondo Were was shot dead on April 30 in what police suspect was a targeted assassination near the City Mortuary roundabout in Nairobi.
Amid preparations for the Malava by-election, Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale has warned against external political interference, declaring that Injendi’s successor must come not just from Malava—but from his own clan.
Khalwale took particular aim at President William Ruto’s aide, Farouk Kibet, blaming him of meddling in local affairs under the guise of grassroots empowerment.
Farouk has intensified his whirlwind tours across Western—visiting Vihiga, Kakamega, Bungoma, Trans Nzoia—leading fundraising drives that support churches, boda boda riders, women, and youth groups.
While his presence in Western appears philanthropic in nature, it's seen by rivals as a campaign tool to directly appeal to voters and strategically position the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) for any political contest.
“You have all seen the President’s aide doing rounds in Malava almost daily, day and night," Khalwale said during a burial service on Saturday.
"He’s not circling here because he loves us; it’s because they are salivating over Malulu Injendi’s seat.”
Khalwale claimed the President had failed to honour key pledges to the region, triggering panic within his party ahead of the looming by-elections.
According to the senator, several local youths have expressed interest in contesting the Malava seat, and leaders from the area will back one of them to continue Injendi’s legacy.
“All those looking for this seat are our children so it doesn’t matter who wins because it will be a son of Kabaras. So Farouk, listen and listen very well…we don’t need an outsider to come here reminding us who to vote for,” Khalwale said.
He stressed that he would not use his influence to sway the election outcome, saying he would respect the will of the people of Malava.
“You will make the decision yourself on who will be your MP, then you will give them to me to guide them on the progress Injendi had made after he took over from Soita Shitanda,” he said.
