Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) Deputy Party Leader Cleophas Malala has left open the possibility of working with President William Ruto and his United Democratic Alliance (UDA)

Speaking to a local radio station on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, Malala said Kenya’s political alliances would continue shifting before the 2027 General Election.

In January 2026, Malala had categorically ruled out returning to the ruling party, making his latest position politically significant ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Future political alliances

“One thing I want to say here categorically, as I told you, is that we are going to have shifting alliances in future. In politics, we don’t have permanent enemies and permanent friends,” Malala said.

“In future, you will see me working with Abraham Kindiki, Oscar Sudi. You will see Rigathi Gachagua working with someone else,” he added.

“You even saw that Riggy G was texting Mathira MP Eric Wamumbi. People talk,” he stated.

He rejected efforts to divide Kenyans into the opposition’s “Wantam” camp and Ruto’s “Tutam” re-election formation.

“This idea of wanting to segment Kenyans, that if you are Wantam you are not supposed to be talking to people from Tutam, I don’t subscribe to that nonsense,” he said.

Malala said he had not spoken to Ruto for more than two years. However, he maintained that this would not prevent a conversation.

Conditions for working with Ruto

“As to when I will talk to William Ruto, I will ask him: Have you stopped extrajudicial killings?” Malala said.

He said he would also question Ruto about abductions, corruption and the implementation of the Kenya Kwanza administration’s election pledges.

“Have you stopped corruption? He hasn’t. Have you implemented the 172 promises you made in 2022? At that time, a decision will be made based on those issues,” he said.

Malala served as UDA secretary-general before his removal in August 2024. Gachagua appointed him interim DCP deputy party leader during the party’s launch in May 2025.

His latest remarks leave the door open for talks with Ruto but stop short of confirming a return to UDA.