The stalemate in the relationship between former Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale and Governor
Dr Khalwale, irked by sentiments by the governor that he is ‘idle’ to an extend of peddling rumours that he was destined for Jubilee Party, took to twitter to claim that the victory of the former Planning and Housing Minister for his second term was stolen, but chose not to contest.
“Governor Oparanya, when I elected not to challenge your stolen victory in court that was it! Please forget about me, count your blessings & concentrate on delivering on your election promises,” Dr Khalwale tweeted directly to Mr Oparanya and his more than 160,000 followers.
Earlier, Dr Khalwale claimed that Mr Oparanya was warming up to join Uhuru Kenyatta led Jubilee party after “several meetings with William Ruto with intent to deputize him in 2022.”
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The twist emerged just after the August 8 polls, in which since then, the governor has been missing in key National Super Alliance meetings and events, notable ones being demonstrations to push for electoral reforms in line with Nasa’s agenda.
Apparently, Oparanya skipped most NASA rallies organised in Western region to push for electoral justice after the Supreme Court annulled the original vote and ordered the repeat which took place on October 26.
In the run up to the August 8 polls, Mr Oparanya divulged of a plan to aim for a higher seat in the country, telling Nasa leader Raila Odinga that he was only left with one bullet.
"What other seat can I go for after serving as governor? I have told Raila Odinga that he is remaining with one bullet and he must aim properly to ensure he finds the target because in 2022, I will try my luck," he said during his re-election campaigns, but failed to disclose how this would be achieved.
It is however nor clear if indeed DP Ruto has been holding meetings with Mr Oparanya on running mate possibility in the would be highly contested 2022 race.
Dr Khalwale, since he lost to Mr Oparanya by nearly half a million votes margin, has been vocal in championing for electoral reforms, in support of Raila Odinga’s swearing-in slated for Tuesday next week.