Former Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale has been in politics for over two decades and is a witness to the old saying 'politics is a dirty game'.
Speaking on Thursday, Khalwale said he was once under pressure from his late wife, Adelaide Shikanga, to quit politics after their son lost his eye in what Khalwale says was 'due to politics'.
Addressing mourners during Adelaide's requiem mass, Khalwale said she told her he had a mission in politics and will not give in until he accomplishes it.
According to Khalwale, the mission is to ensure the populous Luhya community, commonly referred to as Mulembe nation, is liberated.
He said he was still true to his calling and vowed to ensure Amani National Congress (ANC) party leader Musalia Mudavadi, one of the senior politicians from the region, is inside the next government.
“My son had his eye gouged out because of politics and even my late wife told me to quit, but I told her I will be in politics until the Mulembe nation is liberated. Politics is not easy, but despite that, I will ensure Mudavadi is part of the team forming the next government,” he said.
The former Ikolomani MP said for the ANC boss to be part of 2022 government, he must join hands with Deputy President William Ruto who has also declared interest in the race to State House.
“I made a difficult decision to support him in 2013 and I am still for him in 2022. However, he can’t make it to State House alone, and he (Mudavadi) knows this as the Constitution of Kenya has placed the bar of becoming Kenya’s President very high," Khalwale said.
In a rejoinder, Mudavadi said he will only work with those ready to support his presidential bid and ruled out playing second fiddle to anyone.
“In 2022, I will be there and my name will be on the ballot. I am officially in the field and there are no two ways about it. It is my time and I am ripe to be the fifth President of the Republic of Kenya,” he said.