Rigathi Gachagua Clarifies Cleophas Malala's Health Amid Defection Rumors

Rigathi Gachagua denies claims of Cleophas Malala quitting DCP amid political speculation Malala missed a meeting due to illness, not defection, insists Gachagua Gachagua defends DCP's nomination process against allegations of party defections Amos Khaemba, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over four years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya. Mombasa - Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has dismissed claims that Cleophas Malala is quitting the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP). There have been speculations about Malala's political moves after he missed a key strategy meeting convened by Gachagua at the coast. Gachagua, with more than 20 MPs, retreated to Mombasa to strategise for 2026 amid their spirited effort to unseat President William Ruto in 2027. Speaking to M Radia, the opposition leader also dismissed claims that his allies are defecting from DCP to join Ruto’s camp. The former DP disclosed that his deputy fell sick during the Malala Super Cup and requested time off to recover. He lashed out at the Kenya Kwanza Alliance government for spreading rumours about people decamping from the DCP party. “My deputy party leader, Cleophas Malala, is sick. He is a brave and courageous leader who takes a firm stand. He was in Kakamega during the Malala Super Cup, after which he developed a severe flu and requested time off to recover before rejoining our political activities. But the Ruto propaganda team must spread rumours that so-and-so has decamped,” Gachagua said. He added that those who left his camp were government moles, sent by Ruto to gather information about the opposition plans. “We knew them. They were not my people; they belonged to President Ruto. It was just a matter of time before they announced their return home. They have not decamped; they have simply gone where they belonged,” he said. The former second-in-command further stated that others were leaving DCP after being denied a direct ticket for the 2027 poll. “We refused because we are a democratic party. Everyone must go through nominations, even those who spend a lot of time with me. There are no direct tickets in DCP,” the DCP leader said. More to follow... Source: TUKO.co.ke