Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) Deputy Party Leader Cleophas Malala has dismissed claims that he has been sidelined by senior officials in the opposition party, insisting that he remains an influential member of the outfit.
Speaking during an interview on Citizen TV’s Sunday Live with journalist Jeff Koinange, the former Kakamega Senator disputed suggestions that he had fallen out of favour with party leader Rigathi Gachagua.
Malala described claims of being sidelined as unfounded, arguing that his position within the party was firmly established because he was among the founding members.
“It is only an inferior mind which can feel that (sidelined) I think I am too superior for that,” Malala told Jeff Koinange.
“I am among the founding members of DCP. This is my party, the first that I founded.”
The former Senator also addressed reports that Nyandarua Senator John Methu, who is serving as acting DCP Secretary General, had been placed in charge of the party’s operations during Gachagua’s recent trip to the United States.
Malala dismissed the claims, explaining that Methu had primarily been assigned mobilisation responsibilities, particularly in the Mt Kenya region.
He questioned why he would be expected to lead mobilisation activities in areas such as Karatina when Methu was better suited for the assignment.
“What business will I be doing mobilising people in Karatina? I think Methu has a better sense of occasion to mobilise people in Karatina,” Malala posed.
The DCP deputy leader further downplayed suggestions that Methu had taken over his responsibilities, describing his colleague’s assignment as largely focused on maintaining the party’s presence in the Mt Kenya region.
“We had to assign Methu to keep the mountain warm. And he did a very good job,” said Malala.
Malala also rejected the perception that DCP was exclusively a Mt Kenya political party, arguing that although the region remained an important stronghold, the outfit was expanding its influence into other parts of the country.
He pointed to the party’s performance in by-elections outside Mt Kenya as evidence of its growing political reach.
The former Senator further claimed that DCP was making inroads among the Maasai and Kipsigis communities, suggesting that the party was seeking to establish a national political presence.
“Our influence is growing day by day in the Maasai community and even in Kipsigis land,” he argued.
His remarks come amid ongoing discussions about leadership responsibilities, regional mobilisation and the expansion of Gachagua’s DCP as political activities gather momentum ahead of the 2027 General Election.
