Wamuzi News Ke
Western Kenya politics erupted into turmoil today after Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa publicly called on Senate Speaker Amason Kingi to take decisive action against Senator Boni Khalwale, following a violent altercation with a county executive official. The clash, which captured national headlines, has thrust the integrity of parliamentary oversight and county relations into the spotlight.
Clash in Kakamega: Senator Shoves CECM Amid Project Inspection
The confrontation occurred on Friday, October 3, 2025, as the Senate’s Devolution Committee conducted an oversight tour of stalled county projects in Kakamega. Senator Khalwale and Benjamin Andama, the County Executive Committee Member for Finance, reportedly exchanged heated words before Khalwale physically shoved Andama in the chest. The video that went viral shows the two men confronting each other, and moments later, other Senators intervened to defuse the tension.
The altercation stemmed from accusations by Khalwale that Andama and other county officials were sabotaging development efforts and obstructing checks on resource allocation. Khalwale escalated the dispute by threatening to arrest Andama for alleged corruption.
Governor Barasa, outraged by the incident, described Khalwale’s response as “regrettable and abhorrent.” He noted that the senator’s remarks referring to county officials as “very junior people” were demeaning and undermined intergovernmental respect. Barasa affirmed that violence, intimidation, or disrespect toward county officers must not be tolerated.
Barasa Appeals to Speaker: “Uphold Senate’s Integrity and Order”
In a statement released Saturday, Barasa asked Speaker Kingi to fast-track investigations and ensure accountability. He called on law enforcement agencies to investigate Khalwale’s actions under applicable statutes. Barasa insisted that decisive sanctions are necessary to protect the Senate’s oversight role and discourage similar assaults on local government officers.
The governor’s appeal raises deep questions about the balance of authority, decorum in oversight processes, and how far senators can go in challenging county executives.
Political Fallout and Questions of Oversight
- The incident tests how far the Senate will go in disciplining its members. Should Khalwale avoid sanctions, it sets a precedent that physical intimidation can go unchecked.
- County governments view this as an attack on their dignity and authority. If left unaddressed, it could fuel further conflicts in other counties.
- Analysts warn this clash may signal deeper fractures in the ruling coalition, particularly in Western Kenya, where alliances are already shifting.
- Public perception could turn sharply against lawmakers who tarnish oversight with personal conflict rather than constructive scrutiny.
