Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) Deputy Party Leader Cleophas Malala has explained why he supports Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna despite his party endorsing former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua as its presidential candidate.
Speaking in an interview with Jeff Koinange on Citizen TV’s Jeff Koinange Live (JKL) on November 1, Malala said the DCP’s National Executive Council (NEC) had endorsed Gachagua while giving party leaders authority to negotiate with like-minded political formations ahead of the 2027 General Election.
He argued that the mandate to negotiate coalitions allowed him to assess other political leaders and express his preference, identifying Sifuna as someone who represents the generational change young Kenyans want.
“When I speak within DCP, Rigathi Gachagua is my presidential candidate. However, when we move beyond the party’s internal position and into coalition negotiations, I have the freedom, as a young Kenyan, to assess the available candidates, including those from DCP, Linda, Wiper and DAP, and determine who I consider more strategic. My position is that, among these leaders, Edwin Sifuna represents the change that young people in this country desire.” Cleophas explained.
His explanation comes against the backdrop of Gachagua’s criticism of his public support for Sifuna.
During a media interview on October 28, the DCP party leader Rigathi Gachagua described Malala as a “smaller version” of President William Ruto, accusing him of failing to distinguish his personal political preferences from the party’s official communication.
Gachagua said Malala was free to lobby for Sifuna but insisted the deputy party leader was not the party’s spokesperson.
He also said he had advised Malala to clarify when he was expressing personal views rather than speaking for DCP.
The former Deputy President further disclosed that Malala had been trying to persuade him and Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka to support Sifuna.
Malala Says Sifuna Represents the Change Young Kenyans Want
Explaining why he favors Sifuna, Malala said the Nairobi Senator represents the generational shift in leadership that young Kenyans have been demanding.
He questioned the continued dominance of established politicians, arguing that leaders from previous administrations should not keep determining the country’s political future.
“We have been living in an era where we are told that young leaders are the leaders of tomorrow. So, we cannot keep postponing our moment to lead. These people who want to remain in power have been in power since the era. They led us in the past, they are leading us in the present, and they want to lead us in the future. We will not accept that without a fight,” Cleophas stated.
Malala further proposed that Sifuna should lead the United Opposition’s presidential ticket in the 2027 General Election, with an experienced leader serving as his deputy.
Asked which leadership combination he believed would be strongest against President William Ruto, Malala said he favored Sifuna as the presidential candidate, paired with an older and experienced politician as his running mate.
He further expressed his desire to see Gachagua deputize Sifuna, saying he believed the former Deputy President could take up the position.
Malala, however, clarified that this was his personal preference and not DCP’s official position.
Cleophas Addresses Party-Hopping Claims
Cleophas dismissed suggestions that he could abandon the party for another political formation, insisting that he remains committed to DCP.
In addition, he emphasized that he was a founding member of DCP and had no intention of leaving the party.
He also confirmed that he would contest the Kakamega gubernatorial seat in the 2027 General Election on a DCP ticket.
According to Cleophas, DCP has an established leadership structure, strategic positioning and grassroots mobilization, and is among the formations expected to play a role in determining the United Opposition’s presidential candidate.
“I am running for Kakamega governor, and I would not leave DCP because I’m a founder member, Jeff. I am a founder member,” he stated.
Malala added that he is leading efforts to recruit candidates for DCP in different parts of the country, including the Rift Valley, Western Kenya and Luo Nyanza, as the party seeks to expand its national presence ahead of the 2027 elections.
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