Cleophas Malala: People like Khalwale were behind my removal from UDA
By Mabonga Makhanu, July 13, 2026Former Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala has revealed what he claims were the behind-the-scenes events that led to his removal as the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Secretary-General in 2024.
Speaking during an engagement with Kakamega residents as he intensified his campaigns for the Kakamega gubernatorial seat on Sunday, July 12, 2026, the outspoken Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) deputy party leader accused his predecessor as Kakamega senator, Boni Khalwale, of orchestrating his removal.
“People like Khalwale were behind my removal from the UDA party Secretary General position; he camped in the office for three days, even without changing his underwear, until I was removed as secretary general,” Malala said.
Malala claimed that the “bullfighter” camped at the UDA offices for three consecutive days, saying Khalwale “didn’t even change his underwear” until he was finally removed from the secretary-general position and shown the door out of the ruling party.
DCP’s national dominance
Former Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala also defended his decision to join the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP), dismissing claims that the Rigathi Gachagua-led outfit is merely a Mt Kenya regional party.
Speaking during the event, Malala argued that the narrative does not hold water, citing the party’s recent performance in by-elections as evidence that it is steadily expanding beyond the Mt Kenya region.
He pointed to the recently concluded Kisia East MCA by-election in Kakamega County, where the DCP candidate won by a landslide despite the presence of parties traditionally considered dominant in the region.
Malala also cited the Kabras West MCA by-election, where the DCP finished second behind the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA), saying the result demonstrated the party’s growing influence in Western Kenya.
Malala’s DCP resolve
According to Malala, the by-election results prove that the DCP is gaining support beyond Mt Kenya and is steadily establishing itself as a national political outfit. He maintained that he is in the Rigathi Gachagua-led party to stay and vowed to help strengthen and expand its presence across the country.
The DCP deputy party leader also took a swipe at the Linda Mwananchi movement, claiming that the idea being championed by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna was not new. Malala said he had proposed a similar initiative about three years ago when he hosted young leaders from Western Kenya at his home in an effort to unite the region politically, but the initiative failed to gain momentum.
He further recalled convening another meeting of Western Kenya leaders, noting that both Edwin Sifuna and Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi were absent after they were allegedly warned by former Prime Minister Raila Odinga not to attend.