Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) Deputy Leader Cleophas Malala has explained why he has not been attending some of the party’s public rallies, dismissing claims that he has fallen out with party leader Rigathi Gachagua.
Speaking during an interview on Citizen TV on Sunday, November 1, Malala said he had been assigned to organise and strengthen the party in Western Kenya while Secretary General John Methu handled activities in the Mount Kenya region.
He said the arrangement was part of efforts to keep the party active across the country and did not mean he had been pushed aside.
“I do not feel sidelined. Why would I feel so? We were given a responsibility to keep the party moving. John Methu and I, but you know the country is too big. I took charge of the Western region, while Methu took charge of the Central region,” he said.
Malala also questioned why his absence from rallies in other parts of the country had been interpreted as a sign of disagreements within the party.
“What business will I be doing to mobilise people in Karatina?” he posed.
The former Kakamega Senator said much of his work had been taking place away from the public eye, including building DCP structures from polling station level to county offices.
He added that he had also been involved in drafting the party’s manifesto as part of efforts to prepare it for future political activities.
Malala’s remarks come amid questions about his role in DCP, particularly during Gachagua’s absence in the United States.
During that period, Methu was seen leading several party activities in Central Kenya, including rallies, while Malala focused on Western Kenya.
He also campaigned for the Linda Mwananchi Movement and publicly expressed support for Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna’s presidential ambitions, despite Gachagua also being linked to a possible presidential bid.
The comments fuelled speculation about a possible disagreement between the two DCP leaders.
After returning from the United States, Gachagua responded to some of Malala’s remarks, saying the deputy party leader was speaking for himself and not on behalf of the party or its leadership. He also referred to Malala as a “mini Ruto”.
Malala, however, maintained that he was comfortable in DCP and had no plans to leave.
“I am happy in DCP. It is the only party I am a founder member. All these other parties I have joined them, but for DCP I am a founding member,” he said.