Former Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale has said he had made up his mind to follow Deputy President Dr William Ruto wherever he goes.
Speaking during an interview with KTN News on Wednesday night, Khalwale said the political epithets he used to throw Ruto’s way, including claiming he was the most corrupt State officer, was part of the opposition coalition vote-hunting tactics.
He said he had worked with Ruto before, recalling how Ruto alongside President Uhuru Kenyatta backed him in the Ikolomani by-election in 2011.
@TonyGachoka ~ You’ve defected to Jubilee which is in turmoil itself, was this a proper move?@KBonimtetezi ~ That does not worry me, every major election has been approached by different political formations #KTNPointblank@KTNPointBlank@SerenaNairobi pic.twitter.com/lPapmU33kJ
— ktn (@KTNKenya) May 29, 2019
Asked if he was backing Ruto because of his deep pockets, the bullfighter posed back questioning whether he was also paid to back Mudavadi in 2013 and Raila in 2017.
He said his support for Ruto was out of principle, citing previous overtures by Jubilee including a Cabinet secretary job that he rejected.Khalwale claimed that after the August 8 election, an attempt was made to attract Luhya leaders to support Uhuru in the repeat election.
“I was approached and I declined. CS position was on the card and I declined based on principle. When Ruto approached me, I told him I will listen to the people and I finally made the pronouncement,” said Khalwale.
“The people saying that I have sold my soul must be missing me. Those making the claims are from Mudavadi and Raila’s camp, and I put it to them to ask their bosses what they paid me to support Mudavadi in 2013 and Raila in 2017,” he said.
He said politicians from Western backing Ruto were ready to deliver the region to the DP, and asked Wetang’ula and Mudavadi to join them if they don’t want to be embarrassed by the electorate.
Mudavadi had at the weekend dismissed Khalwale and Governor Patrick Khaemba (Trans Nzoia) defection to Ruto’s camp as inconsequential.