Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna was accorded a prominent seat at the burial of Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale’s wife, Gloria Sekeiyan Khalwale, in a moment that underlined the growing political bond between the two leaders.
Sifuna arrived at the funeral at Malinya in Ikolomani Constituency on Friday alongside Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi and other allies of the Linda Mwananchi movement. His arrival drew an enthusiastic reception from mourners and supporters gathered for the burial.
The Nairobi senator’s prominent position at the ceremony came days after he was among the first political leaders to publicly condole with Khalwale following Gloria’s sudden death on August 15.
Sifuna had described Khalwale as “Omwami” while sending his condolences and assuring him of his support during the difficult period.
His relationship with Khalwale has since taken on a political dimension. Khalwale has recently thrown his weight behind Sifuna and the Linda Mwananchi movement, with the Kakamega senator openly describing Sifuna as a potential presidential leader ahead of the 2027 General Election.
At the funeral, Khalwale appeared keen to give Sifuna room to address mourners, asking the crowd to be patient and saying the Nairobi senator would speak at the appropriate time. People Daily reported that Khalwale described Sifuna as “the next president” and asked mourners to allow him sufficient time to address them.
The arrangement stood out against the wider political backdrop surrounding the funeral, which brought together leaders from different sides of Kenya’s political divide.
