- Cleophas Malala rejected claims by Jeremiah Kioni that Rigathi Gachagua is secretly in talks with President William Ruto.
- Malala accused Kioni of being a state-sponsored mole out to divide the opposition.
- He insisted the united opposition’s main agenda is to stop Ruto from securing a second term.
- Kioni, however, maintained that Gachagua has been holding backroom meetings and deals with Ruto’s allies.
The Democratic Citizens Party (DCP) Deputy Party Leader, Cleophas Malala, has strongly denied claims that former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua is secretly working with President William Ruto.
Speaking in Malava during a rally for DCP candidate Edgar Busieka ahead of the November 27 by-election, Malala said Kioni’s remarks were nothing but “diversionary state tactics” meant to break the unity of the opposition.
“I have seen people like Kioni sent with instructions to divide the United Opposition. If you are in opposition and cannot say the ‘wantam’ slogan, then you are a mole. Can Gachagua really be with Ruto? Under no circumstances,” Malala said.
Malala emphasised that all opposition leaders share one mission: ensuring President William Ruto serves only one term. He accused Kioni of spreading confusion instead of standing up to the government.
“Our agenda is Ruto One Term. Kioni must stop creating confusion. He says Gachagua is Ruto’s man, but can Gachagua remain loyal to Ruto? Absolutely not. And just as we cannot stay with Ruto, neither can he,” Malala added.
The DCP deputy leader also questioned Kioni’s credibility, saying he has never openly criticised the Kenya Kwanza administration.
On the other hand, Jubilee Party Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni insists that Rigathi Gachagua is quietly working with the president. Speaking in an interview on September 28, Kioni alleged that Gachagua recently held a private meeting in Narok County with about 15 local leaders, including religious figures.
According to Kioni, Gachagua told the group that emissaries from Ruto had already made contact, and both camps were preparing to enter formal negotiations.
“Gachagua told them that Ruto had already sent emissaries and they had agreed to put their houses in order before having a discussion,” Kioni claimed.
Kioni further said Gachagua laid out political numbers, claiming he could marshal seven million votes from Mt. Kenya, one million from Kalonzo Musyoka’s side, and 800,000 from Fred Matiang’i.
“He said with those numbers he would control more than half of the cake and even share some with the Maasai community,” Kioni alleged.
He argued that Gachagua’s secret dealings prove that while he presents himself as a critic of Ruto, he is actually pursuing backroom bargains.
“We want to work with parties that believe in sending Ruto home, not in backdoor deals,” Kioni said.
