NAIROBI, Kenya — Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale has said he is ready to contest the 2027 Kakamega gubernatorial race on whichever political party Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna chooses for his presidential bid.
Khalwale, who currently serves as a United Democratic Alliance (UDA) senator, said on Friday, October 2, that he would set aside his plans to seek the governorship on the United Patriotic Movement (UPM) ticket if Sifuna opts to run on another party.
Khalwale said UPM’s founder members and interim National Executive Committee (NEC) had resolved to support Sifuna whether he chooses UPM or another political vehicle.
“I want it to be clear that Edwin Sifuna’s hands are free to announce any party,” Khalwale said.
He added that if Sifuna chooses UPM, the party’s officials would support his presidential bid, while a decision to use another party would see UPM support Sifuna and allow Khalwale to contest the Kakamega governor seat on Sifuna’s chosen ticket.
Khalwale Links Governor Bid To Sifuna’s Party
Khalwale said the decision followed discussions among UPM’s founding members and interim NEC over the political vehicle Sifuna will use in the 2027 General Election.
“They have also resolved that, should he announce a party other than UPM, they will then shelve the UPM certificate and wholeheartedly support Sifuna and donate me to run in his party as the Governor of Kakamega in 2027,” he said.
The announcement comes after Linda Mwananchi formally endorsed Sifuna as its leader and presidential candidate following a principals’ retreat on September 26. The movement said Sifuna would lead the unveiling of the party through which he intends to contest the presidency in early October.
Khalwale has been among the politicians publicly backing Sifuna’s presidential bid and has previously said the Nairobi senator would have the final say on the political vehicle to be used by the movement.
UPM Receives Full Registration Certificate
The developments came on the same day UPM received its full registration certificate from the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP).
According to ORPP records cited in reports on the handover, UPM’s certificate was issued on June 25, 2026, under serial number 109, with the slogan “Stability and Prosperity.” The certificate was handed to the party’s authorised founding members on Friday.
Registrar John Cox Lorionokou reminded the party’s officials of their responsibilities regarding party governance, membership management, conflict resolution and financial declarations ahead of the 2027 elections.
