Kakamega Senator Bonny Khalwale in a heated confrontation with a county official. /FB SCREENGRABGovernor Fernandes Barasa has formally petitioned Senate Speaker Amason Kingi to take disciplinary action against Senator Boni Khalwale, following a heated confrontation with a county official on Friday that nearly turned physical during a Senate oversight visit to Kakamega County.
In a strongly worded statement shared Saturday, Barasa criticised Khalwale’s conduct towards County Executive Committee Member for Finance, Benjamin Andama, describing the senator’s actions as “regrettable and abhorrent.”
"The County Government of Kakamega welcomed the Senate Devolution Committee in good faith, with the full expectation that the inspection and any interrogations would be constructive and professional," he said.
The governor urged the Senate to uphold its constitutional mandate and remain objective in its oversight role, warning that failure to do so would erode public confidence in the institution.
"When this objectivity is lost, the true spirit of oversight is undermined," he said.
Barasa’s statement followed a dramatic incident on Friday during an inspection tour by the Senate Committee on Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations, which was assessing stalled development projects in the county.
The confrontation arose when the committee toured the Kakamega County Level 6 Teaching and Referral Hospital.
Tensions escalated when Khalwale engaged Andama in a verbal exchange that drew concern among senators present.
In a video shared by Khalwale on his Facebook page, the senator is seen holding an envelope and pointing at Andama, declaring: “In my lifetime, we will get you people arrested.”
The visibly agitated senator dismissed Andama’s attempt to calm the situation, responding: “I am very serious, and I am very objective.”
The exchange grew more heated when Khalwale moved towards the county official in a manner that prompted fellow senators to step in.
Committee chair Mohamed Abass, alongside senators Richard Onyonka and Catherine Mumma, intervened to restore calm. Onyonka was seen holding Khalwale’s hand as other committee members called for order.
In his statement, Barasa defended Andama’s professional record, noting that the county executive, like other officials, serves with "diligence and dedication."
He described Khalwale’s remarks as derogatory and said they undermined the dignity of public officers, contrary to the spirit of intergovernmental cooperation.
Barasa, who questioned why Khalwale joined the team despite not being a member of the Devolution Committee, urged the Senate to probe the incident and take action to safeguard the integrity of its oversight role.
"We reiterate our commitment to working respectfully, openly and cooperatively with the Senate. However, we equally affirm that we shall not condone violence, intimidation, or disrespect against our officers.
"We therefore urge the Speaker of the Senate to investigate this matter expeditiously and take firm action. We also call upon law enforcement agencies to ensure justice for CECM, Benjamin Andama," Barasa said.
The incident has triggered debate on the limits of parliamentary privilege and the conduct of leaders during oversight missions.
While Khalwale has not issued an apology, he captioned his social media post, emphasising that accountability must be demanded from officials entrusted with public resources.
As reactions remain divided between those who praised his firmness and others who criticised his approach, attention now turns to Speaker Kingi and how he responds—an outcome expected to shape public confidence in parliament’s commitment to lawful and respectful engagement with counties.
