His removal marks the first significant leadership shake-up in the Senate since the Kenya Kwanza administration assumed office in 2022.
Khalwale, who took up the role in September 2022, had initially been appointed during a restructuring exercise that also placed Kericho Senator Aaron Cheruiyot as Majority Leader.
Khalwale, who took up the role in September 2022, had initially been appointed during a restructuring exercise that also placed Kericho Senator Aaron Cheruiyot as Majority Leader.
His exit, though dramatic, fits a long-running pattern where whips are replaced not because of incompetence, but due to shifting loyalties, internal rivalries, and changing coalition priorities.
Although generally low-profile, the Majority Whip is central in managing voting blocs, rallying lawmakers during key decisions, and ensuring uniform positions within a coalition.
Although generally low-profile, the Majority Whip is central in managing voting blocs, rallying lawmakers during key decisions, and ensuring uniform positions within a coalition.
This makes it a sensitive office—meaning holders routinely find themselves on shaky ground if they appear to drift politically.
Party whips have historically been among the first casualties whenever leaders reorganise parliament after disagreements or during election seasons.
Political parties often view any independent-minded position taken by their members as dissent, triggering disciplinary proceedings that ultimately lead to formal dismissals.
The most disruptive realignment of recent history followed the 2018 truce between President Uhuru Kenyatta and longtime rival Raila Odinga.
Party whips have historically been among the first casualties whenever leaders reorganise parliament after disagreements or during election seasons.
Political parties often view any independent-minded position taken by their members as dissent, triggering disciplinary proceedings that ultimately lead to formal dismissals.
The most disruptive realignment of recent history followed the 2018 truce between President Uhuru Kenyatta and longtime rival Raila Odinga.
The handshake changed loyalties in both Jubilee and ODM, and the Senate leadership was significantly affected.
Among those targeted during that period were outspoken senators who belonged to rival factions within the former Jubilee Party.
Among those targeted during that period were outspoken senators who belonged to rival factions within the former Jubilee Party.
Legislators aligned to Uhuru Kenyatta’s camp—then known as Kieleweke—faced internal retaliation from their colleagues allied to then-Deputy President William Ruto in the Tangatanga wing.
Those caught up in the purge included Nakuru Senator Susan Kihika, Murang’a Senator Irungu Kang’ata, and Kiambu’s Kimani Wamatangi.
Those caught up in the purge included Nakuru Senator Susan Kihika, Murang’a Senator Irungu Kang’ata, and Kiambu’s Kimani Wamatangi.
Each was either stripped of leadership, threatened with expulsion, or formally replaced after internal meetings.
One of the most dramatic cases involved Irungu Kang’ata, who served as Senate Majority Whip in 2020 and early 2021.
One of the most dramatic cases involved Irungu Kang’ata, who served as Senate Majority Whip in 2020 and early 2021.
He authored a public letter warning that Jubilee risked electoral losses, a move that angered the party leadership.
In February 2021, Senate Speaker Kenneth Lusaka confirmed that Jubilee had removed him and replaced him with Kimani Wamatangi. His exit signalled Jubilee’s crackdown on perceived disloyalty.
However, Wamatangi’s tenure also proved short-lived. When he defected from Jubilee to the UDA party ahead of the 2022 elections, the same enforcement rules were applied against him.
In February 2021, Senate Speaker Kenneth Lusaka confirmed that Jubilee had removed him and replaced him with Kimani Wamatangi. His exit signalled Jubilee’s crackdown on perceived disloyalty.
However, Wamatangi’s tenure also proved short-lived. When he defected from Jubilee to the UDA party ahead of the 2022 elections, the same enforcement rules were applied against him.
Jubilee issued a communication effecting his removal, citing change of allegiance.
Isiolo Senator Fatuma Dullo’s case stretched longer than usual. Initially, she secured temporary relief from the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal, which blocked her removal as Senate Minority Whip. However, the reprieve was short-lived.
The matter resurfaced after the Kenya Kwanza coalition assumed government, with Azimio la Umoja questioning her voting trends and her perceived closeness to the ruling team.
Isiolo Senator Fatuma Dullo’s case stretched longer than usual. Initially, she secured temporary relief from the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal, which blocked her removal as Senate Minority Whip. However, the reprieve was short-lived.
The matter resurfaced after the Kenya Kwanza coalition assumed government, with Azimio la Umoja questioning her voting trends and her perceived closeness to the ruling team.
The dispute ended in March 2024 after she was officially de-whipped and replaced by Narok Senator Ledama Ole Kina, who is now deputised by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna.
Khalwale’s removal comes amid emerging internal wrangles within the ruling coalition, with questions raised about loyalties, succession politics in Western Kenya, and friction involving party leadership.
Despite being removed, he has insisted publicly that he remains aligned to Kenya Kwanza and maintains respect for parliamentary leadership.
Khalwale’s removal comes amid emerging internal wrangles within the ruling coalition, with questions raised about loyalties, succession politics in Western Kenya, and friction involving party leadership.
Despite being removed, he has insisted publicly that he remains aligned to Kenya Kwanza and maintains respect for parliamentary leadership.
Party insiders, however, suggest that his political engagements outside the coalition structure heightened mistrust.
Because the position is designed to enforce conformity, it often becomes the first casualty whenever alliances shift. With the 2027 election cycle approaching and political realignments intensifying, observers note that more changes could surface.
Kenya’s recent history shows that Senate whips rarely serve full parliamentary terms. Instead, their survival depends on loyalty, timing, and ongoing electoral calculations.
What appears consistent is that parties across the board—from Jubilee to Azimio, and now Kenya Kwanza—view the whip’s seat as a tool of control.
Because the position is designed to enforce conformity, it often becomes the first casualty whenever alliances shift. With the 2027 election cycle approaching and political realignments intensifying, observers note that more changes could surface.
Kenya’s recent history shows that Senate whips rarely serve full parliamentary terms. Instead, their survival depends on loyalty, timing, and ongoing electoral calculations.
What appears consistent is that parties across the board—from Jubilee to Azimio, and now Kenya Kwanza—view the whip’s seat as a tool of control.
As a result, senators occupying the post frequently pay the price whenever party manoeuvres collide with personal political ambitions.
0 Comments