The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Party has issued a 14-day ultimatum to Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale, demanding that he explain his support for a rival candidate in the upcoming Malava by-election.
In a letter dated Tuesday, October 14, the party’s Disciplinary Committee noted that the activities that Khalwale has been engaging in contravene the party’s constitution and code of conduct.
“The Disciplinary Committee of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Party is in receipt of information and evidence of your various political activities, utterances and associations relevant hereto and that are widely circulated in the media and therefore well within the public domain.
“These include but not limited to your open support and participation in the campaigns of a candidate from a different political party and who is competing with the UDA candidate in the scheduled by-election for Member of Parliament, Malava Constituency,” the letter read.
The disciplinary team further accused Khalwale of acting against the interests of the ruling party, saying his conduct amounted to disloyalty and gross misconduct.
“Your support for the said opposing candidate has been open, vocal, conspicuous and substantial as to clearly demonstrate that you are promoting a position that is against your own party’s interest and therefore acting outside the expected conduct of a member of the UDA party as expressly provided for in its constitution and code of conduct,” the letter continued.
The letter added that his recent actions amounted to allegiance to another political party, a move seen as betrayal to the UDA party, which sponsored him to his current seat in the Senate.
“Your said participation and activities clearly demonstrate allegiance to another political party and which constitutes conduct unbecoming and disloyalty to the United Democratic Alliance Party (hereafter the UDA party), which nominated you for election to the office and position of Senator of the Kakamega County representing it in the Senate of the Republic of Kenya.
“Your said activities, which are political in character are further in breach of the party’s Code of Conduct which you subscribed to and amount to gross misconduct in the contemplation of the UDA party constitution. The particulars of the foregoing are well within your knowledge and are otherwise self-evident from the contents of the proceedings in the above cited events and activities,” the letter added.
Invoking provisions of the party’s constitution, the committee ordered Khalwale to show cause why disciplinary action should not be taken against him.
“Accordingly, and pursuant to the provisions of Article 68 (f) of the Constitution of the UDA party and as read together with Articles 69 (a)(c)(d) (g) and (k) thereof, you are hereby required to show cause why appropriate disciplinary action should not be taken against you and further why the sanctions provided in the said party constitution, should not be imposed against you,” the letter read.
As such, Khalwale has been given two weeks to respond to the accusations in writing, after which the committee will decide whether to proceed with formal disciplinary hearings.
“Kindly note that you have fourteen (14) days to respond and show cause as required by this letter and should the committee find that there is basis for proceeding with disciplinary proceedings against you, it will issue formal summons in that regard, for your response and attendance, at such time and place as shall be directed.
“Your response should be filed at the party secretariat. You are further advised that in terms of Article 68(p) of the party constitution, you are entitled to represent yourself in the proceedings or appear with your advocate,” the letter concluded.
Khalwale has publicly thrown his weight behind DAP-K candidate Seth Panyako in the Malava by-election, even joining him on the campaign trail.
Explaining his decision, Khalwale said the UDA party had neglected the family of the late MP Malulu Injendi, which prompted him to back Panyako’s bid.
“When Malulu died, Baringo Senator Cheptumo also died, and that was also when Migori’s Dalmas Otieno died. For the two, you gave Cheptumo’s widow a Ministry and Dalmas’ wife was also given a big state job, but for Malulu, you did not remember the wife or even the son.
“I thought you would allow him to serve as MP, but just as you denied Ryan Malulu Injendi that opportunity and brought an MCA, I have also declared that we will decide who we will vote for without interference from your office,” he said earlier Tuesday.
