Former Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala has declared his intention to contest the Kakamega gubernatorial seat in the 2027 General Election, announcing plans to challenge the current county administration while opening the door to a nomination contest with incumbent Senator Boni Khalwale.
Speaking on Sunday, November 1, Malala said he was seeking to replace the current county leadership, accusing the administration of failing Kakamega residents and losing direction in managing the county’s affairs.
He claimed that residents had lost confidence in the county government, citing concerns over leadership, staff motivation and the handling of the county’s gold resources.
“I am running for Kakamega Governor. I am desired to replace the current administration which has failed the people of Kakamega,” Malala said. “We have lost focus to the extent that we have even lost hope in gold.”
Malala further accused the county administration of relying on alternative approaches to leadership, referencing an incident involving a traditional healer, commonly referred to as a mganga, which he said reflected the county’s loss of direction.
“We have seen the current leadership seeking other alternative ways to govern Kakamega; you saw the mganga thing. We need to redeem our county from sorcery, from incompetent leadership,” he said.
He also raised concerns about the welfare of county employees, claiming that staff morale had deteriorated under the current administration.
“Kakamega staff are the most demotivated staff that we have,” Malala added.
The former senator also addressed the political rivalry between himself and his successor, Boni Khalwale, who has equally expressed interest in contesting the Kakamega gubernatorial seat in 2027.
While acknowledging Khalwale’s political experience, Malala argued that the senator was better suited to legislative responsibilities, particularly debate and oversight.
He suggested that Khalwale should retain his Senate position but said he was prepared to face him in a competitive party nomination if he remained interested in becoming governor.
“Khalwale is a good leader but he performs best in the legislative arm. Khalwale is a good debater; he can play a very good role in oversight,” Malala said. “I would suggest that he continues working for the people of Kakamega as senator. If he insists he wants to vie for governor, I am open to a free and fair nomination with him.”
The contest between the two leaders comes as opposition politicians in Western Kenya position themselves ahead of the 2027 elections.
Malala previously served as Kakamega Senator before losing the seat to Khalwale in the 2022 General Election. He contested the gubernatorial position in the same election but was defeated by incumbent Governor Fernandes Barasa.
He renewed his gubernatorial ambitions in 2025, declaring that he would return to the ballot to challenge Barasa. In June 2026, he also announced plans to work with Kakamega Woman Representative Elsie Muhanda in an effort to unseat the governor.
Khalwale, on his part, has also been positioning himself for the gubernatorial contest. In October 2026, he indicated that he was prepared to contest on whichever political party Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna chooses for his presidential ambitions.
The two leaders have previously exchanged political remarks over their ambitions, with Khalwale in August 2026 reminding Malala of the role he claimed to have played in helping him secure the MCA and Senate positions.
