Former Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale has defended his regular participation in funeral services, especially in the Western Kenya region.
Speaking on NTV's AM Live Tuesday morning, the lawmaker who unsuccessfully vied for the Kakamega gubernatorial post in the last elections noted that the same is not meant for political mileage.
He noted that he solely attends the functions for personal reasons, stating that he mostly only participates in funeral services affecting him.
"There is noting political about my attendance in the funeral functions. I only go there because they personally affect me. The other day I was in Siaya county where I am not vying" said Khalwale.
Regarding the heating political debt mode of politicking, Khalwale echoed Amani National Congress (ANC) party leader Musalia Mudavadi's Saturday remarks, noting that the Western region owes no one any debt.
This followed requests by Deputy President William Ruto to Mudavadi to support his 2022 presidential bid, claiming that he sacrificed his Deputy Prime Ministerial seat for the leader after the conflicted 2007 elections.
According to Khalwale, the region will not be compelled to vote in any direction, saying that his Ford Kenya party will equally make its own decisions on whether to back Ruto or continue rallying behind opposition leader Raila Odinga.
"We don't have anyone's debt and also as a party, we will personally decide whether to back Ruto or continue supporting Raila Odinga," he said.