"He wanted to land": Khalwale claims he blocked Ruto from wife's funeral

This story has significance for readers across Kenya and beyond.

- Kakamega senator Boni Khalwale disclosed that he turned away President William Ruto from attending the funeral of his late wife Gloria Sekeiyan

- Khalwale said he communicated his decision through Ruto's aide Farouk Kibet, citing a political incident in Murhanda involving KSh 5 million

- The funeral was held on August 21 at Malinya Grounds, Ikolomani, Kakamega County, and was attended by opposition-aligned figures

Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale has publicly stated that he personally barred President William Ruto from attending the funeral of his late wife, Gloria Sekeiyan, held on Friday, August 21, at Malinya Grounds, Ikolomani, Kakamega County.

Khalwale said he communicated his position to the president through Ruto's aide, Farouk Kibet, after Ruto's office sought the GPS coordinates for the president's plane to land.

"I want this to be understood; William Ruto wanted me to send him coordinates for his plane to land, but through his aide Farouk Kibet, I told him that a person doesn't seek permission to go to a funeral to condole with the bereaved," Khalwale told mourners.

Murhanda Incident Cited as Turning Point

The senator linked his decision to a separate political incident in Murhanda, where he claimed Farouk Kibet and other allies of the president had conducted what he described as an empowerment function, which residents in the area reportedly rejected.

Khalwale appeared to view the episode as a politically motivated attempt to entrench the administration's influence in his stronghold.

"Recently, they took KSh 5 million to Murhanda to confuse our children, and they refused. Because of that, I told him that I want my wife's funeral to be as nice as this, so Mr President, don't come to Malinya," he said.

Meanwhile, it is yet to be clear whether Ruto had intended to be present at the funeral.

Ordinarily, the president would barely need "coordinates"in the GPS sense to go somewhere.

His movements are guided by detailed itineraries and strict security planning. Advance teams scout venues, secure routes, and assess risks before he arrives.

It is therefore a choreographed operation involving escortt units, intelligence services, and local administrators to ensure everything runs safely and smoothly.

The political figures who attended the burial were predominantly from the opposition, many of whom have been openly campaigning against the Ruto administration and urging voters to remove him from office in the next general election, led by Nairobi senator Edwin Sifuna.

Ruto Had Mourned Gloria Sekeiyan on Day She Died

Despite Khalwale's offensive on Ruto, the president had already mourned Gloria Sekeiyan on August 15, the day she passed away.

Ruto and and First Lady Rachel had extended heartfelt condolences to Khalwale, noting that they stood with the senator and his family in their grief;

The president acknowledged the deep void left by the loss of a spouse, companion, and mother, adding that they prayed for God to grant the family strength, comfort, and peace, and wished Gloria’s soul eternal rest.

Khalwale's remarks at the funeral drew significant attention given the timing and the charged political climate in western Kenya, where the senator has been a vocal critic of the Ruto government.

Whether the president had in fact made any concrete logistical arrangements to travel to Malinya before Khalwale's communication to Farouk remains unclear.

Source: TUKO.co.ke

Reporting originally appeared via TUKO. Read the full source for additional context.