DAP-Kenya leader Eugene Wamalwa reportedly declined an opportunity to address mourners at the funeral of Gloria Sekeiyan Khalwale after Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale asked him to publicly endorse Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna’s presidential bid.
Wamalwa was among the political leaders who attended the burial ceremony of Khalwale’s wife, Gloria Sekeiyan, in Kakamega on Friday, August 21, 2026. Gloria’s death was announced on August 15 after she reportedly collapsed following a heart attack.
According to the account of events at the funeral, Khalwale invited Wamalwa to speak but attached a political condition to the opportunity, asking the DAP-Kenya leader to use the occasion to declare his support for Sifuna’s 2027 presidential ambitions.
Wamalwa, however, chose not to take up the microphone, avoiding what could have turned an emotional funeral gathering into a political moment.
The incident highlights the growing political debate within opposition circles as leaders position themselves ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Sifuna has increasingly featured in discussions around the opposition’s future, while Wamalwa remains one of the senior figures associated with efforts to build a formidable alternative to President William Ruto.
Earlier, Khalwale had also cautioned Mumias East MP Peter Salasya against attacking Sifuna, signalling his support for the Nairobi senator amid the increasingly competitive political environment.
Khalwale’s remarks come as Western Kenya leaders continue to play a significant role in the opposition’s negotiations over the 2027 presidential ticket.
Wamalwa previously conveyed condolences to Khalwale and his family following Gloria’s death, describing the late mother of eight as a cherished member of the family.
The decision by Wamalwa to remain silent at the funeral is therefore likely to fuel further speculation over his position on Sifuna’s presidential ambitions and the broader question of who will lead the opposition into the 2027 polls.