Malala, Kirinyaga Woman Rep, reconcile as she is branded Gachagua’s protector
By Mabonga Makhanu, March 19, 2026Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) Deputy Party Leader Cleophas Malala and Kirinyaga Woman Representative Jane Njeri Maina have shelved their feud that had intensified over the past few weeks.
While speaking during a function held at the DCP headquarters on Thursday, March 19, 2026, Malala addressed the fallout that had arisen after he held a meeting in Kenol with a section of Kirinyaga Members of County Assembly (MCAs) from the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), who later defected to the DCP.
The feud
The move did not sit well with Jane Njeri, who claimed that Malala was engaging MCAs allied to Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru, stating that the move was meant to undermine the influence of party leader Rigathi Gachagua in the county.
Malala had earlier hit back at Jane Njeri, terming her a gatekeeper who wanted to be the sole link to Kirinyaga County.
However, he has since distanced himself from those remarks, stating that Jane Njeri cannot be a gatekeeper and instead describing her as the “guardian angel” of their party leader.
He added that Jane Njeri’s role going forward is to welcome defectors who ditch other parties and join DCP, describing her as an usher rather than a gatekeeper, as he had earlier stated.
Malala made these remarks while holding her hand with a bright smile, a gesture that was welcomed by the Kirinyaga woman representative, who also smiled and embraced the remarks as the crowd at the DCP headquarters cheered.
“Nilisikia mtu akisema ati huyu ni gatekeeper; hapana, huyu anakaa watchman kweli, huyu ni guardian angel wa Gachagua. Kazi yake si kuwa gatekeeper; kazi yake ni kukaribisha watu kwa chama. Huyu ndio usher wa chama.”
Malala-Gacheri feud
Their feud had earlier escalated to significant levels, with Jane Njeri accusing Malala of soliciting money from aspirants and assuring them of party tickets in 2027. She stated that this was Malala’s norm during his tenure as UDA secretary general before being ousted.
Malala later came out to rebut the claims, saying that he had held the meeting with the Kirinyaga MCAs ahead of their meeting with party leader Rigathi Gachagua a day later—something that indeed happened, as 10 MCAs from Kirinyaga County defected from their previous parties and joined DCP after visiting the former Deputy President at his Wamunyoro home.
He also accused the woman representative of wanting to be given a direct ticket as she prepares to defend her Kirinyaga seat in 2027. The woman rep rebutted, saying that she can even vie on an independent ticket if the party’s morals do not align with hers.