Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has publicly addressed the mysterious absence of his close ally, Cleophas Malala, dismissing rampant speculation of a rift within their fledgling party as “propaganda” spread by President William Ruto’s camp.
Malala, the deputy leader of the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP), has maintained a low profile and was notably absent from a key party retreat in Mombasa, fueling online debate about internal wrangles.
Speaking in a radio interview on Sunday, Gachagua offered a simple explanation: Malala is sick. “My deputy party leader Cleophas Malala is sick. He was in Kakamega during the Malala Super Cup after which he developed a severe flu and requested time off to recover,” Gachagua stated. He commended Malala as a bold and courageous leader, insisting their bond remains strong.
The two politicians forged a close alliance after both were ousted from their positions within the ruling UDA party, leading to the formation of the DCP seven months ago with Gachagua as party leader and Malala as his deputy.
However, Gachagua went further, making explosive claims about the stability of his party. He insisted the DCP remains strong and alleged that allies who recently defected to President Ruto’s camp were never true believers. “They were spies planted by the president,” Gachagua claimed. “I knew they were moles and it was just a matter of time before they defected.”
He described Malala, expected to rejoin activities soon, as his “most trusted soldier.”
Amid the internal drama, Gachagua also used the interview to rally support in the Coastal region, promising to address land issues, the blue economy, and employment opportunities if the opposition clinches power in 2027. He framed the upcoming election as a united opposition’s goal to oust President Ruto.
The former Deputy President also took time to dismiss accusations of favoring his own community, maintaining his recent political stance is about defending the rights of all Kenyans.
As the 2027 political landscape begins to take shape, the DCP’s internal cohesion is under scrutiny, with Gachagua’s latest comments aiming to project strength while attributing any visible cracks to subterfuge from State House.
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