Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale has revealed that he personally asked President William Ruto not to attend the burial of his late wife, Gloria Sekeiyan Khalwale—choosing to keep the ceremony a private family affair while using the occasion to endorse Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna’s presidential bid.
Why Did Khalwale Ask Ruto to Stay Away?
Speaking during the burial service at Malinya Stadium in Kakamega on Friday, August 21, Khalwale disclosed that President Ruto had reached out to establish where his plane could land ahead of the funeral.
However, the Senator said he conveyed his position through Ruto’s personal assistant, Farouk Kibet, telling the President that his presence was not required.
“William Ruto asked me to send coordinates for his plane to land. I told him through his PA, Farouk Kibet, that when someone is bereaved, you do not need to ask them to send you landing coordinates,” Khalwale said.
The Senator explained that he wanted the burial of his wife and mother of his eight children to remain a private family occasion, adding that he specifically requested the Head of State not to attend.
“I asked him that I want the burial service of my wife, the mother of my kids, to be as nice as this, that he should not come,” he said.
Political Absentees: A Snub or Personal Choice?
Khalwale also alleged that some senior leaders from the Western region stayed away from the funeral because of their political differences with him.
Among those notably absent were:
- Senate Speaker Amason Kingi – under whom Khalwale once served as Chief Whip
- National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula
Other senior leaders allied to the Kenya Kwanza administration and the broad-based government also skipped the funeral, while opposition figures made their presence felt.
Opposition Leaders Show Solidarity
In contrast to the government absenteeism, several opposition leaders attended the service, including:
- Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna
- Homa Bay Senator Moses Kajwang
- Other opposition figures
Their presence did not go unnoticed, and Khalwale used the occasion to publicly endorse Sifuna’s presidential ambitions.
Khalwale Endorses Sifuna, Criticises Western Leaders
In a politically charged address, Khalwale:
- Endorsed Sifuna’s Linda Mwananchi movement
- Urged the Western region to unite behind Sifuna as he seeks to mount a presidential bid
- Criticised Moses Wetang’ula, CS Wycliffe Oparanya, and PMS Musalia Mudavadi
The Senator recalled that Sifuna was among the first leaders to condole with him following his wife’s death and personally contributed Ksh500,000 towards funeral preparations—a gesture that clearly resonated with Khalwale.
Gloria Sekeiyan Khalwale: A Life Remembered
Gloria Sekeiyan Khalwale died on August 15 after suddenly collapsing from a suspected heart attack, leaving behind eight children.
The burial at Malinya Stadium was attended by family, friends, and political figures from across the spectrum, though the absence of key government leaders underscored the deep political divisions within the region.
What This Means for Western Kenya Politics
Khalwale’s public endorsement of Sifuna—an ODM leader—signals a potential realignment in Western Kenya politics, traditionally a stronghold of leaders like Wetang’ula, Mudavadi, and Oparanya.
By criticising his own regional counterparts while embracing an opposition figure, Khalwale has:
- Positioned himself as a political outsider within the Kenya Kwanza coalition
- Opened new alliances with ODM and the Linda Mwananchi movement
- Challenged the status quo in the Luhya political leadership
A Burial That Became a Political Statement
What was meant to be a private family farewell for Gloria Sekeiyan Khalwale quickly turned into a political platform—with her husband using the occasion to rebuff the President, criticise regional leaders, and throw his weight behind a rising opposition figure.
As Western Kenya’s political landscape continues to shift, Khalwale’s words at Malinya Stadium may prove to be more than just a eulogy—they could be a declaration of new political loyalties.
For more updates on Kenyan politics and current affairs, stay tuned to credible news sources.