The dramatic session unfolded after Khalwale, who also serves as the Senate Majority Whip, drew parallels between Kenyans currently stranded abroad and the case of Bob Njagi and Nicholas Oyoo, political activists who were arrested in Uganda earlier this year.
“On this issue of these children who are locked up out of the country, they are no different from the two Kenyan political activists who were locked up in Uganda. It disturbs me that it took the intervention of the former president and not the current president,” Khalwale alleged.
Senate Speaker Amason Kingi reading the resolution to impeach Governor Kawira Mwangaza to the House, August 19.
Senators Demand Proof
His remarks immediately sparked heated reactions from colleagues, with Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei demanding that Khalwale provide evidence to support his claims.
“Mr Speaker, you know we must stick to the rules. When the Senator, a Chief Whip of the government, goes on record and says that the former President intervened for the release of Kenyans, can he provide the evidence before this House?” Cherargei asked.
“Because we don’t want hearsays from some dens in Ikolomani coming to Senate. He should make such hearsays there in Kakamega and stay there, don’t bring those things here,” Cherargei added.
Senate Speaker Amason Kingi supported Cherargei’s position, directing Khalwale to substantiate his allegations beyond reasonable doubt.
Kakamega SenaKakamega Senator Boni Khalwale Kicked Out of Senate After Alleging Uhuru Saved Bob Njagi, Oyoo in Ugandator Boni Khalwale during a past Senate Committee meeting.
Khalwale Stands His Ground
Despite repeated calls, Khalwale refused to provide evidence, insisting that his remarks did not require substantiation.
“From my experience, Cherargei should know that a ruling has been made that a member is not expected to substantiate the obvious,” Khalwale responded.
“If you cannot substantiate, the other option is not to keep quiet; keeping quiet is not an option under our Standing Orders. If you cannot substantiate, you proceed to withdraw and apologise,” Kingi affirmed.
Ordered Out of Chambers
Khalwale, however, declined to apologise, arguing that his comments were protected under freedom of speech. His defiance prompted Speaker Kingi to rule him out of order and direct him to leave the chamber.
“You are choosing to stay silent; therefore, it means you failed to substantiate, and the natural consequence will flow, and I will rule you out of order and ask you to leave the chamber,” Kingi ordered.
Njagi and Oyoo’s detention in Uganda has been a subject of public debate, with activists and civil society groups calling for stronger government intervention to protect Kenyan citizens abroad. Khalwale’s remarks sought to highlight what he described as inadequate action by the current administration, but his failure to provide evidence ultimately led to his removal from the session.
Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale during a parliamentary proceeding.
