Gachagua breaks silence on ties with Malala following defection claims
By Aloys Michael, January 19, 2026Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has addressed growing speculation surrounding the whereabouts of Cleophas Malala, the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) deputy leader and one of his closest political allies.
In an interview with a local radio station on Sunday, January 18, 2026, Gachagua dismissed reports suggesting Malalah had abandoned his political camp after failing to attend a party retreat in Mombasa, describing the claims as misleading propaganda.
Gachagua said his deputy merely came down with the flu while in Kakamega and properly took sick leave, brushing aside talk of a fallout.
“My deputy party leader, Cleophas Malalah, 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 explained.
He added that once Malalah has fully recovered, he will resume party duties on Monday, January 19, 2026.
Gachague tells of Ruto’s allies
The DCP chief accused President William Ruto’s camp of peddling false narratives about Malalah and other members said to be defecting from the former DP, insisting such claims are baseless. He described Malala as his most trusted ally, praising him as diligent and dependable.
Gachagua, however, insisted that the DCP party remained strong and that his allies, who are said to have defected to Ruto’s camp, were spies planted by the president, adding that he knew they were moles and it was just a matter of time before they defected.
Malalah has kept a noticeably low profile in recent weeks, missing several key engagements attended by DCP party leader Gachagua.
The last time the two leaders appeared together publicly was on January 8 during the DCP party tour of Nyeri County.
Malalah’s continued absence, particularly during the party’s Mombasa retreat, has fueled online debate and speculation over possible internal divisions, claims that Gachagua has firmly dismissed.
2027 plan
Moreover, the former DP’s three-day retreat, according to a statement from the former deputy president, the three-day retreat will focus on reviewing the party’s activities and adopting strategies in preparation for the 2027 polls.
The event also provided a platform for the members to familiarise themselves with the election calendar and major upcoming milestones in the lead-up to the 2027 General Elections.
The retreat came at a critical time for the party, as defections, internal wrangles, and loyalty issues threatened its unity.
For instance, December proved particularly stormy for the nine-month-old political outfit, with Juja MP George Koimburi’s defection dealing a major blow. The MP announced his move to Ruto’s ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
Meanwhile, Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga, a close ally of Gachagua, recently declared his allegiance to the government and President Ruto.
In a statement issued on Saturday, January 17, 2026, Kahiga promised to rally behind Ruto’s re-election bid if the president completes ongoing development projects in the region.
Kahiga’s remarks came shortly after a section of DCP grassroots officials from Nakuru threatened to defect, citing frustrations with Gachagua.
The complaints emerged soon after Nyeri Town MP Duncan Mathenge accused the DCP leader of using heavy-handed tactics and intimidation to dominate the united opposition ahead of the 2027 polls.