Speaking during a political forum, Khalwale said that Magufuli, who was a close friend to both Raila and President Uhuru Kenyatta, had tried to stop Raila from taking the oath as the “People’s President.”
According to Khalwale, Magufuli believed that such a move could cause political chaos and even lead to unnecessary bloodshed in Kenya.
“Before Raila Odinga took that bold step to swear himself in, Magufuli talked to him. He told him not to do it because Kenya needed peace, not another round of violence,” Khalwale revealed.
He added that Magufuli, known for his strict leadership style, encouraged Raila to look for peace talks instead of confrontation.
Despite Magufuli’s advice, Raila went ahead with the symbolic swearing-in at Uhuru Park on January 30, 2018, after the disputed 2017 presidential election.
The event drew huge crowds and marked one of the most tense moments in Kenya’s political history.
Khalwale explained that Raila’s decision came from deep frustration with the government, as he believed the election had been stolen from him.
However, he said Magufuli’s message showed that regional leaders were worried about Kenya’s stability at the time.
“Magufuli respected Raila as a freedom fighter but wanted him to choose peace over politics. He told him that leadership is about saving people, not dividing them,” Khalwale said.
Months later, Raila surprised many by shaking hands with President Uhuru Kenyatta in what became known as the “Handshake.”
Khalwale said that Magufuli’s earlier advice may have influenced that decision, as it pushed Raila to seek unity instead of conflict.
The senator’s revelation has sparked mixed reactions among Kenyans, with some praising Magufuli for his wisdom and others debating whether Raila’s bold action helped force the government to accept dialogue.
Khalwale concluded by saying that both Magufuli and Raila were leaders who believed in strong governance, and though they sometimes disagreed, they shared one goal — to build a peaceful and united East Africa.
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