Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) interim party leader Cleophas Malala has accused President William Ruto of failing to honour key promises he made to the people of Kakamega and the wider Western region during the 2022 election campaigns.

Speaking during the Western region tour by the opposition leaders on Thursday, July 3, 2025, in Kakamega Town, Malala stated that the unfulfilled pledges were central to Ruto’s campaign appeal in Western Kenya.

“I am the one who brought William Ruto to Kakamega; we agreed that he would give a 1000-kilometre road in the western region. We also agreed that he will revive the Nzoia and Mumias sugar factories. We also agreed he will give employment to the teachers and the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF),” he lamented.

The former United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Secretary General did not mince words, branding the president a liar over the failure to implement the promises made to residents.

“He is a liar. I am here to announce that I have left him. I am with DCP,” he said.

Flanked by Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya, Democratic Action Party-Kenya (DAP-K) leader Eugene Wamalwa, Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, DCP Party leader Rigathi Gachagua, and other opposition leaders, Malala stated that leaders from the western region have united to focus on the development agenda.

Western Kenya

His remarks come shortly after Gachagua claimed that he confronted President William Ruto over what he termed as deliberate neglect of Western Kenya.

Speaking during the opposition’s western region tour on Thursday, July 3, 2025, he stated that the Head of State downplayed his concerns by suggesting that development was no longer a priority in the region, so long as key leaders Musalia Mudavadi and Moses Wetangula were satisfied.

Additionally, he stated that he had personally questioned the president over the region’s stalled infrastructure projects and the privatisation of strategic assets.

“So I asked Ruto about this Western Kenya issue — about the 100-kilometre stretch of road. You have already sold Nzoia Sugar; you have sold everything, so what do you intend to do with the Luhya community? He responded by saying, ‘If Musalia and Wetang’ula are full, then the Luhya are full.’ But are you truly full? No. Ruto should go now,” Gachagua said.