Khalwale bounces back to senate as Malala’s mother is trounced in Mumias West parliamentary race

Malala’s mother started supporting Fernandes Barasa of ODM after Malala asked the people of Mumias West to vote for ex Sports CS Rashid Echesa as their MP. Okanya was vying on ANC party

By Dennis Avokoywa, Kakamega

Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale gas bounced back to the Senate after spending five years in the cold.

Dr Khalwale (UDA) beat his closet rival Dr Brian Lishenga (ODM) by 249,003 votes. Lishenga garnered 195,192 votes.

Initially, Khalwale was to vie for the Kakamega gubernatorial seat under the UDA party but stepped down in favour of outgoing Senator Cleophas Malala.

“We started off on a very happy note and it has ended up on an extremely happy note. We thank God the Almighty, the Creator of Heaven and Earth,” said Khalwale after the win.

Dr Lishenga has since conceded defeat to Khalwale: “It’s clear that Dr Boni Khalwale will serve as the Senator for Kakamega for the next 5 years. I congratulate him and wish him success in serving our people,”

ODM Kakamega women representative Elsie Muhanda has retained her seat as the county woman representative with a total of 300, 226 votes followed by his closest rival Naomi Shiyonga of DAP-K who garnered a total of 67, 351 votes.

This will be Elsie’s second term after she clinched to power in 2017 a position that was initially held by Rachel Ameso who relinquished the position to a lighter position.

According Ameso the position seemed ambiguous to her and resorted to vie as an MP to Khwisero constituency a position she terribly failed.

Elsie was initially a health CEC before being transferred to the Trade industry, positions that brought her to the limelight.

“Thank you the Almighty God and the people of Kakamega. We’ve won with a HUGE MARGIN. The turnout was historic. I love you back,” said Muhanda after the victory

At the same time, Jackeline Okanya, the step mother to Kakamega gubernatorial candidate Cleophas Malala was eyeing the Mumias West parliamentary under the ANC party performed dismally poor.

The sit was however taken by ODM’s candidate Johnson Naicca, the incumbent MP who garnered 15,868 votes followed by Rashid Echesa(UDA) with11,056 votes. Ms Okanya got 1,084 votes.

Okanya had earlier publicly dishonored his son’s ambition of becoming the second county’s boss and started supporting his rival Fernandes Barasa in a rally hosted by Azimio presidential candidate Raila Odinga in August 4 at Bukhungu stadium.

Ends