Former Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale has defended his sudden shift of allegiance from the opposition to Deputy President William Ruto's side.
Speaking on Wednesday, Khakwale said that he made the discreet move to prevent hindrances from Western Kenya politicians and voters, most of whom are opposed to the DP's 2022 bid.
He noted that he found it better to engage Ruto first as a person, before coming back to sell him to the people, noting that he is satisfied that his findings can be beneficial to the Kenyans.
"Unapoenda vitani huwaelezi familia yako kwa sababu kawaida ya vitani unaweza kurudi and kukosa. Ukiona mambo uliyoenda kuyapigania ni mazuri ndipo unapowaambia (When you are leaving for war, it's not advisable to tell your family given that your return is not guaranteed. You only tell when you are sure you will get good spoils from the fight)," he said.
The outspoken politician was speaking on Radio Citizen's Jambo Kenya show on Wednesday morning.
He added that so far he is succeeding in making Western Kenya see sense in his union with the DP, apart from a few people being influenced by forces opposed to him.
He claimed that the opposers are forces allied to opposition leader Raila Odinga, who has for some time now been depending on the region's support in his presidential bids.
"Hawa wanaonipinga na kunitusi ni walewale ambao hawajawai niunga mkono. Wanataka kutulazimisha tena tumfuate Raila (Those abusing and opposing me have never supported me. They want to force us to support Raila once again)," he added.
Khalwale has since been using the opportunities he gets to address the public in funerals and church functions to endorse the DP.
However, the DP is yet to confirm if there indeed was a meeting between the two of them.