On January 28, 2022, Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala made headlines after disclosing that he rejected a Ksh20 million bribe offer from Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Raila Odinga.
Speaking at a rally in Bungoma County, Malala stated that Raila approached him and Kabuchai Member of Parliament (MP) Majimbo Kalasinga with the offer, meant to woo them to strike the tent at Amani National Congress (ANC) and join Azimio la Umoja.
Malala recalled, "A few days ago, they showed us a lot of money. Majimbo and I were offered Ksh20 million but turned down Raila Odinga’s money and asked him to revive Pan African Paper Mills, Mumias, and Nzoia Sugar if he thought he had enough cash."
He also pointed out that One Kenya Alliance (OKA) principals Gideon Moi of KANU and Kalonzo Musyoka of the Wiper party dumped Musalia Mudavadi’s ‘Earthquake event’ at Bomas because ANC delegates had not invited Raila Odinga.
Malala emphasized that people from the Western region should not vote for Raila and instead support Mudavadi because they have agreed as leaders that they will back Mudavadi’s bid for the Presidency in 2022 polls.
He said, "We agreed that if Musalia and Wetangula ask us to turn left, we will turn left. If they tell us to head right, we will head right."
Senator Moses Wetangula of Bungoma County also spoke at a mini-rally at Malaba, Kakamega County, where he said they pitched on a political marriage with Deputy President William Ruto because Raila had betrayed them by not pushing for their agenda despite him being close to President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Wetangula stated, "As a community (Luhya), we have been played, laughed at, and wronged by many people. The people that we have helped are the ones who are now using us. It’s time for Mulembe people to reclaim their respect. It’s time for us not to work for our neighbours but ourselves. We want to be treated with respect."
He posed several questions to Raila, including which Luhya person he had picked for a Cabinet post, ambassador, or road project.
