Malala Says Gachagua-Sifuna Alliance Is Key to 2027 State House Bid

Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) Deputy Party Leader Cleophas Malala has urged Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna to forge a political alliance with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, arguing that support from the Mt Kenya region would be crucial to his presidential ambitions.

Speaking on Saturday, October 24, 2026, Malala said Sifuna needed to spend more time engaging voters in the region and building grassroots support ahead of the 2027 General Election.

The former Kakamega senator argued that any presidential candidate seeking to win the election must develop a broad coalition capable of attracting votes across different regions.

“If you want our brother Edwin Sifuna to become the president of the Republic of Kenya, then he must go and spend time in the Mt. Kenya region and work closely with the people there so that we can get the numbers needed to enter State House,” Malala said.

Malala reveals why he joined Gachagua’s party

Malala also disclosed that one of his motivations for taking up the deputy party leader position at Gachagua’s DCP was to persuade the former deputy president to support Sifuna’s presidential bid.

He described his role as one of building bridges between the two leaders and bringing their political interests together.

“I said I will be DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua’s deputy. My job there is to persuade him to support our son, to hold his hand, so that he can add those eight million votes to Sifuna’s tally and enable him to become the president of the Republic of Kenya,” he said.

Malala’s remarks point to his push for a cross-regional opposition alliance that would bring together political support from Mt Kenya and other parts of the country.

However, Gachagua’s support for Sifuna’s presidential ambitions was not confirmed in the remarks provided.

Malala warns against ethnic-based political parties

The DCP deputy leader also defended his decision to join a party widely associated with the Mt Kenya region, dismissing criticism of his political alignment.

He argued that political parties built around a single ethnic constituency risk limiting their national appeal, drawing comparisons with Ford Kenya founder and National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula.

“We cannot all keep repeating the same mistakes that Wetang’ula made. He formed Ford Kenya, and all its leaders came from Bukusu. That is why Wetang’ula has never progressed in his political career,” Malala said.

He added confidently: “I am a sharp boy.”

Malala’s comments suggest that he believes joining a party with a strong regional base could provide an opportunity to build wider political alliances rather than restrict his ambitions to his home region.

Malala pushes for Sifuna’s presidential candidacy

Malala has repeatedly advocated for opposition unity ahead of the 2027 General Election, maintaining that Sifuna should be on the presidential ballot.

Sifuna, who is associated with the Linda Mwananchi movement, has increasingly featured in discussions about the opposition’s political direction following his fallout with the Orange Democratic Movement’s leadership.

Malala views Gachagua’s break with President William Ruto’s administration as a possible opening for a broader coalition capable of challenging the incumbent in 2027.