Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale has explained why President William Ruto did not attend the funeral of his late wife, Gloria Sekeiyan Khalwale, despite saying he was willing to travel to Kakamega to condole with the family.
Speaking during Gloria’s burial on Friday, August 21, Khalwale said Ruto had contacted him and asked for coordinates for a suitable landing site for the presidential plane.
The senator said he conveyed his response through Ruto’s aide, Farouk Kibet, asking the President not to attend the funeral.
“President William Ruto asked me to send the coordinates so that his plane could land. I told him through his aide, Farouk Kibet, that when someone has lost a loved one, you do not ask whether they should come to offer comfort,” Khalwale said.
“I told Mr President, for the burial of my wife to be as nice as this, don’t come to Malinya.”
Khalwale made the remarks as family, friends, political leaders and residents gathered in Kakamega to pay their final respects to Gloria, who died suddenly on Saturday, August 15.
Also Read: Boni Khalwale’s Wife Gloria Sekeiyan Dies After Heart Attack
Boni Khalwale Son Recounts Gloria’s Final Moments
During the funeral proceedings, Khalwale’s last-born son, Stephen “Kapten” Khalwale, also recounted the events leading to his mother’s death.
Stephen said the family was preparing to attend a bullfighting event on the morning Gloria collapsed, when his sister came to alert him that their mother was having difficulty breathing.
He initially thought his sister was informing him about another incident involving cattle rustlers, which he said had previously affected the family.
“When I saw her at the window, at first I thought it was another case because at home we have been having cases of cattle rustlers,” Stephen recalled.
His sister then told him to hurry to their mother’s house because Gloria was not breathing properly.
Stephen then rushed to the house and found his father attempting to resuscitate Gloria.
“I rushed to the house and found our father trying to resuscitate her. I quickly started the car, called my brother Engine, and we went to the hospital,” he said.
According to Stephen, Gloria appeared responsive during part of the journey to the hospital, giving the family hope that she would survive.
He said doctors continued efforts to save her after they arrived at the hospital, but the family was informed shortly afterward that she had died.
Stephen described the news as devastating, saying the family was left in a somber mood after receiving confirmation of Gloria’s death.
Also Read: Son Reveals How Boni Khalwale Tried to Save His Wife Moments Before Her Death
Gloria Died After Sudden Collapse
Boni Khalwale announced Gloria’s death on August 15, saying she had collapsed after suffering a heart attack.
“My dear wife, Gloria Sekeiyan Khalwale, has this morning suddenly collapsed and died after a heart attack,” Khalwale said in a statement following her death.
Gloria was Khalwale’s third wife and the mother of their children.
The senator named their children as Engine Kukaste Khalwale, Olivia Sabayi Khalwale, Flavia Shimuli Khalwale, Gift Atubukha Khalwale, Meliza Khamwenyi Khalwale, Velma Nasiebanda Khalwale, Sonia Inuni Khalwale and Maura Makatse Khalwale.
According to Khalwale, some of the eight children were in university, while others were pursuing lower-level education.
Follow our WhatsApp Channel and X Account for real-time news updates.
