The Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) deputy party leader Cleophas Malala/FILE

Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) Deputy Party Leader Cleophas Malala has set conditions for working with President William Ruto again, saying the Head of State must change his approach to governance.

Malala said he would consider a political reunion with Ruto if the President listened to Kenyans and addressed concerns over public debt.

He also claimed Ruto is dictatorial, saying his reservations were about the President’s leadership and not his personality.

“If he will open his ears and listen to what Kenyans want and prioritise. If he will stop securitising every income, every revenue Kenya gets,” Malala said.

“If he stops being a dictator. I am not interested in William Ruto’s face or what. I am interested in the governance and the governance style he is exercising on us. That is my answer.”

Malala was responding to a question on whether he would consider working with Ruto in future if their political interests and national agenda aligned during an interview on Citizen TV’s Sunday Live on November 1.

Malala previously served as UDA secretary general before his appointment was revoked by the party’s National Executive Council on August 2, 2024.

He had been appointed acting secretary general in February 2023, replacing Veronica Maina. The party later designated Hassan Omar to take over the position.

Reports at the time cited disagreements within UDA, including allegations of insubordination and Malala taking divergent positions on national issues.

The High Court in April 2025 upheld his removal after quashing orders that had temporarily blocked the change.

Malala later joined DCP, which was launched by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua in May 2025. He was named deputy party leader during the unveiling of the party’s interim officials.

In January 2026, Gachagua assigned Malala to lead the implementation of DCP’s 2026 Action Plan.