Senator Khalwale Accused of Bribery, Tribal Politics, and Sabotage in Kakamega County Schools

By Godfrey Wamalwa 

Kakamega Senator Dr. Bonny Khalwale is under mounting pressure over allegations of political interference in school leadership transitions across Kakamega County. Education stakeholders, community leaders, and elected officials have accused the senator of manipulating appointments in key institutions, including Kakamega High School, by promoting loyalists through underhanded tactics.

At the center of the storm is Elphas Aliva Luvaso, principal of Malava Boys High School, whom Khalwale is reportedly lobbying to replace outgoing Chief Principal Dr. Julius Mambili at Kakamega High. Luvaso’s name has sparked uproar due to a string of administrative controversies that have plagued his leadership at previous schools.

Luvaso has served in various institutions—Taranganya, Musingu, and Teremi—where his tenure was marked by academic decline, exam malpractice, and violent unrest. At Musingu, exam irregularities led to the cancellation of KCSE results and his subsequent interdiction. At Teremi, he was forced to flee through a window as parents and students revolted. His vehicle was torched during the incident. His posting to Malava Boys was equally resisted by the local community.

Now, new explosive claims have surfaced, reviving an earlier scandal during the tenure of former Kakamega High School principal Gerald Orina. It is alleged that Senator Khalwale orchestrated an arson attack on one of the school's dormitories by hiring goons to sabotage Orina’s administration. The aim, stakeholders claim, was to paint the principal as incompetent and unfit to lead, thereby paving the way for political control of the institution.

In a parallel development, Hobunaka Boys principal Mr. Fredrick Mushira has been named as one of Khalwale’s key financiers in the ongoing campaign to influence school leadership. Despite not holding the rank of Chief Principal, Mushira is allegedly moving with large sums of money to lobby education officials and other power brokers behind the scenes.

Lurambi MP Hon. Titus Khamala has strongly condemned the interference, calling it reckless and harmful to the education sector. “We will not allow anyone, including Senator Khalwale, to hijack our institutions for selfish gain. Let the Teachers Service Commission do its work independently and professionally,” said Khamala.

Khalwale is also being accused of routinely using clan and tribal alliances to dictate who leads schools within Kakamega County. Critics say his interference dates back years, including efforts to undermine former Kakamega High School principal Oliver Minishi using similar tactics.

Education stakeholders are now demanding that the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) conduct all principal appointments across Kakamega County with full independence and transparency. They argue that schools, especially national institutions like Kakamega High, must be insulated from politics, bribery, and tribal interests.

TSC County Director Mr. Willy Koros has assured the public that there will be no leadership vacuum, stating that the transition at Kakamega High School will be handled professionally. Both deputy principals have been promoted, and the appointment of a new principal is expected in the coming days.

Top candidates include Dr. Tom Shavisha of Senende School, Mr. Bernard Lukuya of Musingu High School, and the embattled Mr. Luvaso of Malava Boys. However, pressure is mounting to reject any candidate tied to political interference or backdoor deals.

The transition is expected next week, and education stakeholders have vowed to defend the integrity of schools across Kakamega County from any form of sabotage or external manipulation.

Contacted for comments,Kakamega senator Dr.Bony Khalwale phone went unanswered