NAIROBI, Kenya—Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) Deputy Party Leader Cleophas Malala has dismissed claims that he is being sidelined in the party, insisting that his absence from some of its public activities was part of an agreed division of responsibilities.
Malala said he had been coordinating grassroots mobilisation in Western Kenya while Nyandarua Senator John Methu handled party activities in the Mt Kenya region, dismissing suggestions that Methu had taken over his responsibilities.
Speaking during an interview on Citizen TV on Sunday, November 1, Malala also denied reports of a fallout with party leader Rigathi Gachagua, maintaining that his position within the party remained intact.
“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 explained that the two had been assigned different regions to strengthen DCP’s presence across the country, arguing that Methu was better placed to organise political activities in the Mt Kenya region.
“It is only an inferior mind which can feel that. I think I am too superior for that,” he said when asked whether Methu’s growing visibility had made him feel pushed out.
Malala Explains Absence From DCP Rallies
The former Kakamega Senator said his reduced presence at some of the party’s public events did not mean he had withdrawn from its activities.
He maintained that he had been working on grassroots mobilisation, including establishing party structures from polling stations to county offices, as well as contributing to the development of DCP’s manifesto.
“I have been doing grassroots activities, including building party structures from the polling stations all the way to the county offices, and I want to believe we have done much. There is a lot that is happening behind the scenes,” he said.
Malala also defended the decision to have Methu lead mobilisation activities in the Mt Kenya region, saying the senator had a better understanding of the local political environment.
“What business will I be doing mobilising people in Karatina? I think Methu has a better sense of occasion to mobilise people in Karatina,” he said.
He further described Methu as being responsible for keeping the party politically active in the region.
“We had to assign Methu to keep the mountain warm. And he did a very good job,” he added.
Gachagua’s Remarks on Malala’s Political Positions
Malala’s comments come amid questions about his relationship with Gachagua and his public political positions, particularly his support for Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna’s potential opposition presidential bid.
During an interview on KTN on October 28, Gachagua clarified that Malala was not authorised to communicate DCP’s official position, saying the party leader and secretary-general were its designated spokespersons.
He maintained that Malala was free to express his personal political preferences but should distinguish them from the party’s official position.
Gachagua also disclosed that Malala had been lobbying him and Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka to support Sifuna’s presidential ambitions.
The DCP leader described Malala as a young politician he was mentoring, adding that he had advised him to make clear when he was expressing personal views.
Gachagua had also referred to Malala as a “mini Ruto” in his remarks about the deputy party leader’s political positioning.
Despite the differences in their public positions, Malala maintained that he was comfortable in DCP and remained committed to the outfit.
“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.
His remarks offer a glimpse into the internal dynamics of Gachagua’s party as it seeks to expand its national presence, with its leaders balancing regional mobilisation, grassroots organisation and competing political positions ahead of the 2027 General Election.
