Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale has been officially removed from his position as Senate Majority Whip by his UDA party. He has been replaced by Bungoma Senator David Wakoli Wafula, following his support for an opposition candidate in the Malava by-election. Senate Speaker Amason Kingi confirmed the change during a plenary session on December 2, 2025.
In a dramatic development, Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale has been removed from his role as Senate Majority Whip. The decision was made by the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party, and Senate Speaker Amason Kingi verified it during a plenary session on Tuesday, December 2, 2025. "From the correspondence, the minutes indicate that a resolution was passed to remove the Senate Majority Whip Boni Khalwale in accordance with standing order 225. Senator David Wafula Wakoli from Bungoma has been appointed to hold that position," Kingi stated, referencing standing orders 225 and 228.
The change takes effect immediately, with Wakoli Wafula, a member of Ford Kenya and part of the Kenya Kwanza coalition, assuming the role. Khalwale, elected on a UDA ticket, defied his party's stance by campaigning for DAP-Kenya candidate Seth Panyako in the Malava parliamentary by-election on November 27, 2025. Panyako narrowly lost to UDA's David Ndakwa, who secured 21,564 votes against Panyako's 20,210.
Khalwale joined opposition figures including Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya and DAP-Kenya leader Eugene Wamalwa in the campaign efforts. Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei warned of disciplinary actions against lawmakers who supported opposition candidates. "There are our UDA MPs and those from the broad-based party ODM who supported our opponents in the by-elections. Tomorrow, we will begin the process of removing them from the leadership of the parliament," Cherargei said.
This ouster highlights tensions within UDA and the opposition alliance, especially after UDA and ODM won most seats in the by-elections, including Malava and others. As Majority Whip, Khalwale was responsible for enforcing party discipline and coordinating key legislation, powers now diminished.
