Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) Deputy Party Leader Cleophas Malala has lashed out at remarks by the Jubilee Party Deputy Party Leader, Jeremiah Kioni, saying that former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s presidential campaign would force former Interior CS and Jubilee presidential hopeful Fred Matiang’i and Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka to consider reopening their political options.

Speaking in an interview with a local TV station on Thursday, May 7, 2026, Malala said that Kioni’s assertion was reckless and unfortunate, as it could add an unnecessary dimension to the current negotiations for an opposition coalition and harm the process of unity that needs to take place ahead of the 2027 general election.

“The statement by Jeremiah Kioni was very unfortunate, that when Gachagua is cleared to run for president, then Matiang’i and Kalonzo should start having their own arrangements. Those are careless statements that are meant to bring tension in the coalition,” Malala said.

The former senator has condemned Kioni’s statement that Matiang’i and Kalonzo should start making political arrangements separately should Gachagua be cleared to contest for the presidency, saying the comment was divisive.

Kioni’s remarks

The comments come days after the Jubilee deputy party leader Jeremiah Kioni made cautious remarks that any opposition leaders, like Kalonzo Musyoka and Fred Matiang’i, would run the risk of being overtaken by Gachagua’s realignments.

While speaking in a morning interview with a local radio station on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, Kioni lamented that the Jubilee Party’s presidential hopeful, Fred Matiang’i, and Wiper Patriotic Movement Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka should rethink where they would be if Gachagua were cleared to run for the presidency.

“Just like it was not possible before, Gachagua will run for the presidency, and when he runs, Kalonzo and Matiang’i should ask themselves where they will be,” Kioni added.

With Mt Kenya increasingly becoming a major battlefield in the run-up to 2027, there is a growing competition between the two political parties, which is shaping up to be a high-stakes political battle ahead of the coalition formation.

Malala has warned that leaders in the united opposition who seem to be propagating and  advancing the opponent’s narrative qualify to be a mole