NAIROBI, KENYA – Kakamega Senator Dr. Boni Khalwale was forcibly removed from the Senate chambers on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, after he refused to withdraw or substantiate controversial remarks crediting former President Uhuru Kenyatta with the release of two Kenyan activists detained in Uganda. The dramatic ejection, ordered by Senate Speaker Amason Kingi, followed a heated confrontation that brought proceedings to a standstill and highlighted the persistent political tensions between the Kenya Kwanza administration and the opposition.

The dispute erupted during a plenary session when Dr. Khalwale, who is also the Senate Majority Whip, deviated from the topic of debate to address the plight of Kenyans stranded abroad. He drew a parallel to the case of activists Bob Njagi and Nicholas Oyoo, who were held in Uganda for over a month before their release in early November 2025. “It disturbs me that it took the intervention of the former President, and not the current President,” Dr. Khalwale stated on the floor of the House.

Point of Order and Refusal to Substantiate

The statement immediately drew a sharp rebuke from Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei, who rose on a point of order. He demanded that Dr. Khalwale, as a member of the ruling coalition, either provide concrete evidence for his claim or withdraw the remark, arguing it was unsubstantiated and undermined the current government. “We must stick to the rules, Mr Speaker,” Senator Cherargei insisted, cautioning against allowing “hearsay” on the floor of the Senate.

Speaker Kingi sustained the point of order and repeatedly asked Senator Khalwale to substantiate his allegation as required by the Senate's rules of debate. Citing the Standing Orders, the Speaker noted that a member is responsible for the accuracy of any facts they allege. Dr. Khalwale, however, declined to provide proof, instead opting to remain silent. When pressed further, he invoked his constitutional right to freedom of speech. “Kenyans died for freedom of speech, please understand these things that we were there before you were there,” Khalwale argued.

Speaker Kingi clarified that parliamentary privilege is not absolute and must be exercised within the confines of the Standing Orders. “If you cannot substantiate, the other option is not to keep quiet; keeping quiet is not an option under our Standing Orders. If you cannot substantiate, you proceed to withdraw and apologise,” the Speaker directed.

Ejection Under Standing Orders

Following the continued refusal, Speaker Kingi ruled Dr. Khalwale out of order and ordered his removal from the chamber for the remainder of the day's sitting. The Speaker's action is grounded in the Senate's Standing Orders, specifically Standing Order 91, which holds a member responsible for the accuracy of their statements and requires substantiation. Failure to do so, or to withdraw and apologise, is deemed disorderly conduct under Standing Order 107.

The ejection underscores the delicate balance between freedom of speech in Parliament and the rules designed to maintain decorum and ensure the veracity of statements made. The incident also brings to the fore the political sensitivities surrounding the actions of the previous administration versus the current one. The detention of Njagi and Oyoo had been a contentious issue, with Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni later admitting his security forces held them, accusing them of being “experts in riots.” The claim of former President Kenyatta’s involvement had been previously voiced by opposition figures but remained unconfirmed through official channels.

This event marks a significant moment of internal friction within the Kenya Kwanza coalition, with the Majority Whip being disciplined for comments seen as critical of the government he represents in the Senate. It has ignited a broader conversation on the responsibilities of parliamentary leadership and the enforcement of procedural rules in Kenya's increasingly polarized political environment. As of Wednesday morning, November 19, 2025, Dr. Khalwale had not issued a public statement following his removal.