Video: Wetang'ula addresses being "chased" from Wetang'ula's home

This story has significance for readers across Kenya and beyond.

- National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula refuted Senator Boni Khalwale's claim that he was ejected from his home during a condolence visit

- Wetang'ula said he visited Khalwale on Thursday, August 20, accompanied by over 10 lawmakers and brought money from himself and President Ruto

- The Speaker accused Khalwale of using his wife's funeral to score political points against the Ruto administration

National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula has publicly disputed Senator Boni Khalwale's account of a condolence visit at the Kakamega senator's Malinya home.

Addressing mourners at the funerial of his wife Gloria Sekeiyan in Malinya Friday, August 21, Khalwale claimed that the Speaker was not welcomed after he showed up to condole with the bereaved.

Speaking Saturday, August 22, while hosting Bungoma stakeholders and the business community at the Mabanga FTC in Bungoma County, Wetang'ula shared that the Kakamega senator warmly received him and even escorted him.

Khalwale had suggested that he expelled Wetang'ula from the homestead.

Wetang'ula made the remarks

"My friend Senator Boni Khalwale was bereaved following the death of his wife. We have been with Khalwale even in by-election campaigns. On Thursday, August 20, I went to his home to condole with him. I was accompanied by over 10 lawmakers. I took him my money, that of President William Ruto, and I talked to the people," Wetang'ula told those gathered.

The Speaker explained that before leaving, he had informed Khalwale he would not be able to attend the funeral owing to a prior engagement in Likuyani, Kakamega County.

He said the news of being branded unwelcome came as a surprise given how he was treated during the visit.

"He was so happy and excited that he acknowledged me as the seniormost Luhya leader, and promised to rally behind me. He escorted me well to my vehicle and ushered me to my vehicle. I was shocked with his statements later that he chased me," he said.

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Wetang'ula appeared to suggest that Khalwale was deliberately exploiting the funeral of his late wife to score political points, accusing him of changing his tune after a cordial private exchange.

"I was later shocked when I heard Khalwale on the burial day saying that he chased me from his home, yet he was happy when I took him my money as a way of condolence," he added.

Khalwale's Claims at Gloria Sekeiyan's Funeral

Meanwhile, Khalwale had told mourners that he had personally communicated to President William Ruto through aide Farouk Kibet, discouraging the president from attending. \

He said Ruto's office had sought GPS coordinates for a plane landing before he sent back the message.

Khalwale linked his decision to an empowerment event allegedly held in Murhanda, in which he claimed KSh 5 million was brought to the area in a move he described as an attempt to politically influence residents of his stronghold.

He said he did not want the atmosphere around his wife's funeral shaped by the same dynamic.

The political figures who attended the burial were predominantly from the opposition, including Nairobi senator Edwin Sifuna, whom Khalwale has been backing as a presidential candidate, in contrast to Wetang'ula's open support for President Ruto's re-election bid.

Ruto and First Lady Rachel had already extended condolences to the Khalwale family on August 15, the day Gloria passed away.

Source: TUKO.co.ke

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