Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) Deputy Party Leader Cleophas Malala says President William Ruto has informal deals to hand the Deputy Presidency to Western Kenya if re‑elected.

Speaking during a church service at AIPCA Meru on Sunday, June 22, 2025, Malala said that Western leaders led by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, Moses Wetangu’la, and Wycliffe Oparanya met with Ruto and agreed that the Deputy President position should go to Western Kenya.

The former Kakamega senator further told Deputy President Kithure Kindiki that he was wasting his time, noting that he has fewer votes, while Western leaders have a much larger voter base.

Malala said the trio had assured the president of their numbers and warned Kindiki that he would be competing directly against Oparanya, Wetang’ula, and Musalia, making his bid futile.

“Wale viongozi wa western, Wetangu’la , Musalia juzi wameniita wakaniambia wewe unafanya nini na Rigathi Gachagua? Wewe kuja tufanye kazi pamoja, nikawaambia sasa nakuja kufanya kazi na nyinyi na serikali imebaki na mwaka moja muende nyumbani,” Malala disclosed.

“Wetangu’la , Musalia, and they were with Oparanya; they told me one thing kwamba wameka na William Ruto na wamekubaliana kwamba kiti ya deputy president inaenda kule western region sasa Kindiki you are wasting your time. Wewe uko na kura elfu mia tatu na wale wameambia raisi kwamab wako na kura sijui milioni 136 thousand sasa wewe uta compete na Oparanya, Wetang’ula, na Musalia.”

Ruto’s re-election

Malala’s claims come days after a section of Western Kenya leaders pledged backing for Ruto’s 2027 re-election bid.

Speaking during a women’s empowerment fundraiser held at Mayuba Stadium in Sirisia on June 16, 2025, Bungoma Governor Ken Lusaka expressed confidence that the Western region will rally overwhelmingly behind Ruto in the 2027 general elections, declaring that the Mulembe nation is now fully united in support of the Head of State.

According to him, elected leaders from the region have closed ranks and are backing Ruto’s re-election bid.

“President Ruto is poised for a resounding victory. If he could defeat a united front of Uhuru and Raila, what chance does this fractured opposition have?” posed Lusaka.

Sirisia Member of Parliament John Waluke, speaking on Sunday, June 15, 2025, during a church service at Friends’ Comprehensive School in Lugari, Kakamega County, also endorsed Ruto’s re-election.

He emphasised the positive impact of Ruto’s policies on the region’s agriculture and infrastructure.

 “President William Ruto, we are going to support you because of what you have done for the people of western Kenya, from roads to reviving our agriculture and key positions in your government,” he declared.