This archive report was first published on 18 July 2020.
Boni Khalwale Escapes Police in Tear Gas Scuffle ¶
On July 18, 2020, a meeting between former Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale, Mumias East MP Ben Washiali, and Matungu MP Justus Marunga was disrupted by police officers at the home of Hamisi MP Charles Gimose.
Police hurled teargas to disperse the politicians, but Khalwale managed to escape and was seen holding a bucket full of water in a video that surfaced online.
According to the video, Khalwale can be seen walking away from the police officers, led by Hamisi OCPD Johana Chebii, before turning and throwing the bucket of water towards the police boss and running away.
Another video shared by Khalwale showed him tending to his garden at home, suggesting that the police officers may have let him go.
He asserted that security officials could not deter their plans, saying, “Tear gas or no tear gas, we shall not relent.”
Khalwale has had past run-ins with the law, including a dramatic incident on November 7, 2019, where he was seen carrying stones in his hand during a Kibra by-election.
On June 7, 2019, he was forced to dash into a maize plantation after officers disrupted a meeting he had convened to avoid arrest.
The police officers also engaged in running battles with journalists from different media houses who were covering the event.
