Senator Khalwale Bans Ruto From Wife Gloria’s Burial as He Endorses Sifuna

The wife of Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale, Gloria Sekeiyan Khalwale, was buried at Malinya Stadium on Friday, 21 August, with President William Ruto and several senior Kenya Kwanza leaders absent from the ceremony.

Khalwale said he had personally asked President Ruto not to attend, explaining that he wanted the burial to remain a private family affair. He said the President had sought logistical details for landing in Kakamega, but he conveyed his request through Farouk Kibet, the President’s aide.

The ceremony was attended by opposition leaders, including Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and Homa Bay Senator Moses Kajwang. National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi were among the senior government figures who did not attend.

During the service, Khalwale endorsed Sifuna’s presidential ambitions and urged Western Kenya to support him through the Linda Mwananchi movement. He cited Sifuna’s support for the family following Gloria’s death, including a personal contribution of KSh500,000 towards the funeral arrangements.

The political messages came alongside emotional tributes from members of the Khalwale family. Stephen “Kapten” Khalwale, the senator’s youngest son, recalled the morning of 15 August when Gloria collapsed at home after what was suspected to be a heart attack. He said he rushed to the house and found his father attempting to resuscitate her before driving her to hospital with his siblings.

Gloria briefly showed signs of responsiveness while they were travelling to hospital, but doctors were unable to save her. Stephen described Gloria as a much-loved member of the family who had been part of their lives for two decades. Her death leaves behind eight children and a family mourning her sudden loss.