Cleophas Malala, the Democracy for Citizens Party deputy party leader, pushed back sharply against accusations that he has secretly been working with President William Ruto. Cleophas Malala interacts with Ruto at a past event. In an interview broadcast by Amaica Media, the former UDA Secretary-General addressed, head-on, the “mole” label that has trailed him. Seated outdoors in a relaxed but animated exchange, Malala made clear that no amount of political pressure would silence him. How Malala challenged the mole narrative Rather than dismissing the allegations quietly, Malala took the argument apart by turning the spotlight on political behaviour across the board. He pointed out that the same critics accusing him maintain their own quiet lines of communication with rivals, and questioned where the outrage was when others did the same. “Akasema huyo mtu amenunuliwa sijui nyumba, amehongwa, amefanya nini? Hao watu wote sahii wako wapi? Kule. So mwache kuniangalia mimi nikisema kitu.
Na tena mimi sio mtu wa kuintimidiwa. Ukiiniita mimi mtu William Ruto, naeza enda hata kwa William Ruto. Mimi sio mtu wa kutishwa na kufanywa nini,” he said. He went further, arguing that political conversations happen across enemy lines far more often than the public is told. Malala cited Ruto and former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua as an example, and Gachagua and Prime CS Musalia Mudavadi as another. The former UDA secretary general suggested that behind-the-scenes dialogue is simply part of how politics operates. “Na hao watu wote wanaongea. Hata William Ruto, saa zingine usipochunga anapiginanga Rigathi Gachagua simu. Saa zingine Rigathi Gachagua, huyu saa zingine anapigia Musalia Mudavadi. Tusidanganyane. Hatuwezi kukosana kwa sababu ya siasa. Wananchi wanafaa waembiwe kwamba hawa wanasiasa wanaongea,” Malala stated.
