Chaos in Senate as Khalwale Ejected After Clash Over Uhuru’s Alleged Role in Activists’ Release

Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale was thrown out of the Senate on Tuesday after he refused to withdraw remarks claiming former President Uhuru Kenyatta helped secure the release of two Kenyan activists detained in Uganda. His comments triggered instant tension, loud objections and a heated exchange that quickly escalated.

Trouble began when Khalwale compared Kenyan children stranded abroad to the activists’ 39-day detention in Uganda. He questioned why the former President, and not the current one, allegedly stepped in. Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei objected sharply and demanded proof. He accused Khalwale of making unverified claims and dragging “hearsay” into parliamentary debate. Speaker Amason Kingi backed the objection and ordered Khalwale to either substantiate the statement or withdraw it.

Khalwale refused. He argued that the matter was obvious and needed no evidence. He reminded Cherargei of his long political experience and claimed his colleague lacked understanding of parliamentary precedent. The atmosphere grew tense as Kingi repeated his directive. Khalwale insisted he would not retract. He accused some senators of using points of order to intimidate colleagues. He warned that such behaviour threatened the freedom of speech protected by the Constitution.

Cherargei pressed him again. Khalwale challenged him directly, accusing him of hiding discomfort behind procedure. Kingi stepped in once more, insisting the Senator must comply. Khalwale then attempted to remain silent. Kingi ruled that silence was not an option under the Standing Orders and demanded an answer.

Khalwale still refused. The Speaker declared him out of order and ordered him to leave the chamber. The dramatic ejection ended the standoff.

The dispute stemmed from the detention of activists Bob Njagi and Nick Oyoo, who said they were held incommunicado by Uganda’s military special forces. Amnesty International later stated that their release followed high-level talks that involved former President Kenyatta. Felix Wambua of the Free Kenya Movement said the activists might not have been freed without Kenyatta’s intervention.