Boni Khalwale Kicked Out of Senate Over Remarks Linking Uhuru to Uganda Detention Case
Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale was dramatically ordered out of the Senate on Tuesday evening after he claimed that former President Uhuru Kenyatta was responsible for securing the release of two Kenyans who had been detained in Uganda.
His remarks sparked tension in the House and led to a heated exchange among the lawmakers.
The incident began when Senator Khalwale compared the situation of Kenyans stranded in foreign countries to that of political activists Bob Njagi and Nicholas Oyoo, who were once arrested in Uganda.
While criticizing the government’s response to such situations, he alleged that the former President stepped in to secure their freedom—an allegation that immediately stirred controversy.
“On this matter of Kenyans detained outside the country, their situation is no different from that of the two Kenyan activists who were held in Uganda.
What bothers me is that it took the intervention of the former President, not the sitting President,” Khalwale claimed, sparking murmurs across the chamber.
Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei quickly challenged him, insisting that such a bold claim needed evidence. He accused Khalwale of presenting unverified claims and demanded that he table proof before the House.
Cherargei went further, warning that the Senate could not rely on what he described as “hearsay from dens in Ikolomani,” urging Khalwale to keep such statements outside Parliament if he could not substantiate them.
Senate Speaker Amason Kingi sided with Cherargei, firmly directing Khalwale to produce solid evidence to back his assertion that Uhuru Kenyatta intervened in the Ugandan case. However, Khalwale remained adamant.
He insisted that he did not need to provide proof for something he believed was already obvious and previously acknowledged.
“From my experience, Senator Cherargei should know that a ruling exists which states that members are not required to substantiate what is considered obvious,” Khalwale responded confidently.
But Speaker Kingi pushed back, insisting on compliance with the Standing Orders. He reminded Khalwale that silence was not allowed when a member’s comments had been challenged. He needed either to provide evidence or withdraw his remarks and apologise.
“If you cannot substantiate, the other option is not to keep quiet. Silence is not an option under our Standing Orders. If you fail to give evidence, you must withdraw and apologise,” Kingi ruled.
Even after this warning, Khalwale refused to apologise. Instead, he argued that he was protected by freedom of speech and had the right to express his views freely within the House. His refusal to comply left the Speaker with only one option.
Speaker Kingi then ordered Senator Khalwale to leave the chamber, stating that his silence and refusal to withdraw the comments meant he had failed to provide proof as required by the rules.
“You have chosen to stay silent. That means you failed to substantiate, and the natural consequence will follow. I hereby rule you out of order and direct you to leave the chamber,” Kingi declared.
The incident ended with Senator Khalwale being escorted out, marking yet another dramatic moment in Senate proceedings—a moment fueled by political tension, strong personalities, and unresolved questions about the alleged role of the former head of state in the Uganda detention case.
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