Former Kakamega County Senator Boni Khalwale has officially defected from his Ford Kenya Party to the ruling Jubilee Party.
Khalwale cut ties with the Moses Wetangula-led party on Friday after allegedly being summoned over his links with Deputy President William Ruto.
Khalwale’s defection comes as the 2022 succession debate takes centre stage across the country.
The former senator’s defection to Jubilee Party could, however, backfire on him even as he prepares to vie for the Kakamega governor seat in the much anticipated 2022 general elections.
The Western region, specifically Kakamega County is considered an opposition stronghold, and Khalwale could find it difficult selling the Jubilee party manifesto and his 2022 agenda to residents.
With the possibility of receiving backlash from the region's diehard opposition supporters, Khalwale must think of the political strategies he will use to market himself and emerge victorious come 2022.
With the rising political influence and popularity of politicians like Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala and Lugari MP Ayub Savula, Khalwale should brace himself for tough political times ahead of the 2022 polls.
Khalwale is likely to experience stiff competition in the race to succeed Governor Wycliffe Oparanya.
However, in politics nothing is predictable and Khalwale could have made the right decision that could see him make a political comeback in the 2022 general election.
We'll have to wait and see how Khalwale will push the Jubilee agenda in a region dominated by opposition politics.
#hivisasaoriginal