This archive report was first published on 18 July 2020.
On July 18, 2020, a dramatic incident unfolded in Kakamega, Kenya, involving former Senator Boni Khalwale and police officers. The incident began when police disrupted a meeting between Khalwale, Mumias East MP Ben Washiali, Matungu MP Justus Marunga, and other politicians at the home of Hamisi MP Charles Gimose.
Police hurled teargas to disperse the gathering, but Khalwale and his colleagues refused to back down. In a video that surfaced online, Khalwale can be seen holding a bucket full of water while police officers try to capture him.
After a few steps, he turned and threw the bucket of water towards the police boss and ran away. The officers, led by Hamisi OCPD Johana Chebii, followed him closely, but it appears they eventually let him go.
According to another video shared by Khalwale, he was seen tending to his garden at home, suggesting that the police had given up their pursuit. Khalwale has had past run-ins with the law, and this incident is just one of many dramatic encounters he has had with the police.
On November 7, 2019, he was seen carrying stones in his hand as rowdy youth engaged in running battles with the police during the 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.
