Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) Deputy Party Leader Cleophas Malala has set conditions for working with President William Ruto again, The Star reported. He said the President must change how he governs. Malala said his problem is with Ruto's leadership, not with Ruto as a person.
Malala spoke on Citizen TV's Sunday Live on Sunday. He was asked whether he would work with Ruto in future if their political interests and national agenda aligned. He said he would consider it if the President listened to Kenyans and addressed concerns over public debt.
"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. He also accused Ruto of being dictatorial. "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," he said.
Malala and Ruto were once on the same side. Malala became acting UDA secretary general in February 2023, replacing Veronica Maina. On August 2, 2024, the party's National Executive Council revoked his appointment. The party later designated Hassan Omar to take over the post. According to The Star, reports at the time cited disagreements inside UDA. These included claims of insubordination and claims that Malala took divergent positions on national issues.
In April 2025, the High Court upheld his removal. It also quashed orders that had temporarily blocked the change.
Malala then joined DCP, which former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua launched in May 2025. He was named deputy party leader when the party unveiled its interim officials. In January 2026, Gachagua put him in charge of implementing DCP's 2026 Action Plan.