Boni Khalwale has revealed details about his decision to step down from the 2022 Kakamega gubernatorial race, saying he did so under pressure from William Ruto in order to preserve political unity within the Kenya Kwanza alliance.

According to Khalwale, the move was aimed at accommodating the interests of Musalia Mudavadi and Moses Wetang’ula, who he claims had declined to support Ruto’s presidential bid unless he stepped aside from the Kakamega contest.

Speaking candidly on the matter, Khalwale stated that his sacrifice was meant to strengthen the coalition ahead of the 2022 General Election and help secure Ruto’s path to the presidency.

However, he now says that the decision came at a heavy cost for the people of Kakamega.

Khalwale criticized the current county leadership, describing it as a major disappointment and blaming what he termed as poor governance for the county’s struggles. He claimed that stepping aside created room for what he called “an incorrigible prince of corruption,” alleging that the individual had perfected questionable leadership practices during his time at Kenya Electricity Transmission Company before becoming governor.

Without holding back, Khalwale lamented that Kakamega County is now “on its knees,” pointing to what he sees as declining service delivery and weakened county administration.

His remarks are likely to reignite political debate in Western Kenya, especially as conversations around leadership, accountability, and future political alignments continue to shape the region’s political landscape.

The statement also places fresh focus on the political negotiations that shaped the 2022 elections and the sacrifices some leaders say they made in pursuit of broader coalition unity.

As political temperatures gradually begin to rise ahead of future contests, Khalwale’s comments may influence how voters in Kakamega assess both past decisions and future leadership choices.