Senators Bonni Khalwale and Karen Nyamu in Parliament on August 4, 2026.A heated exchange erupted in the Senate on Tuesday after Kakamega Senator Bonni Khalwale alleged that Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna's removal from the County Public Accounts Committee (CPAC) was politically motivated, an assertion nominated Senator Karen Nyamu challenged as unsubstantiated.
Khalwale alleged Sifuna was removed because of his opposition stance and refusal to support the broad-based government, arguing that the decision was politically motivated.
"If the problem of Edwin is that he's supporting the opposition, if that is the crime, why is Wambua still in position and he's also supporting the opposition?" Khalwale posed.
He argued that Parliament and its committees should operate independently without political interference from outside the House.
"Let Parliament function. Let committees work. Let the best among us chair committees," he said.
Nyamu immediately rose on a point of order, asking the Speaker to direct Khalwale to stop linking external political influence to committee leadership changes without providing evidence.
She said committee leadership changes are governed by parliamentary procedures and not external political influence.
Temporary Speaker Catherine Mumma agreed, directing Khalwale to refrain from making allegations unless he could substantiate them.
The ruling, however, did little to calm tempers. Khalwale dismissed Nyamu's intervention as a publicity stunt, saying it was an attempt to boost her political profile.
"However much Senator Karen Nyamu attempts to draw the attention of the people of Nairobi to herself by attempting to respond to me, the people of Nairobi know that even if she's given 100 years, she would not be able to rise to the occasion to match the contribution that we have made on the political landscape of this country," he said.
Nyamu rose again on a point of order, saying Khalwale was using parliamentary privilege to demean women leaders.
"Madam Speaker, Bonni Khalwale is using this House to insult and intimidate women. It is such a shame. He did that to Senator Tabitha another time; today it's me. Address yourself to the issue that I have raised," she said, demanding that he withdraw the remarks.
Mumma urged Khalwale to avoid casting aspersions on the abilities of fellow legislators and instead confine his remarks to the matter before the House.
Khalwale subsequently toned down his remarks, saying he had no intention of damaging Nyamu's reputation.
"But she can't interrupt my flow of thoughts and expect to get away with it just like that," he said.
With the matter settled, senators resumed debate on the day's business, including the Mining (Amendment) Bill, 2025, sponsored by Nyamu.
The nominated UDA senator later alleged that Khalwale had mobilised colleagues to reject her proposed legislation.
"Today, Bonni Khalwale, senator, I don't know what he has against me. He has championed people to shoot down my bill on mining. The entitlement with these older senators who think that they are the only ones who can bring a progressive bill to this House," she said.
The Mining (Amendment) Bill, 2025 seeks to amend the Mining Act to give local communities a greater say in mining activities and enhance their share of mineral royalties.
Temporary Speaker Mumma directed Nyamu to either substantiate her claims against Khalwale or withdraw them.
In response, Nyamu said she had witnesses.
"I have witnesses in this House, and I want to tell Senator Bonni Khalwale, if he wants to come and vie for Nairobi Woman Rep with me, he's free to do so," she said.
Nyamu said women legislators should be allowed to perform their legislative duties without intimidation.
"But if he wants to go low, Madam Speaker, we know how to go lower," she said.
Khalwale did not respond to Nyamu's allegation during the debate, and there was no immediate response from him by the time of publication.
