Cleophas Malala: I cannot go back to UDA
By Ndiritu Wanjiru, January 26, 2026Former Kakamega senator and the deputy party leader for Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) Cleophas Malala has disputed claims circulating that he has the intention to ditch his current party and get back to the United Democratic Party (UDA).
Speaking in an interview with a local radio station on Monday Janauary 26, 2026, Malala, who is also a former secretary general for the UDA party, has explained the events which caused him to be unavailable to the public. Malala has stated that after the November 27, 2025, by-elections, he developed a flu that called for him to retreat from public engagement, citing other subsequent event including the organisation of the Malala Super Cup, as reasons he was absent from the DCP Party events.
“If they want me to get back to UDA, there is only one person who can speak to me, and that is William Ruto. If he wants me back in UDA, then he has to bring back to life the lives lost during the Genz protests,” said Malala.
Malala’s defence
Malala’s sentiments come days after rumours spread about his intention to rejoin UDA, forsaking his party leader, Rigathi Gachagua. The two were later spotted together in Mombasa for a retreat.
This comes at a time when the DCP party has received a blow after several members and allies of Gachagua have defected from the party in support of the government-led side, UDA.
Defections in DCP
Among those who have left the former deputy’s side include Muranga’s seasoned politician Jamleck Kamau, who recently announced his exit from active politics, Githunguri MP Gathoni Muchomba, who has turned out to be Rigathi’s critic, Juja MP George Koimburi and Mary Wamaua, the MP for Maragua among others.
