Kirinyaga Woman Representative Hon. Njeri Maina has publicly alleged that a secret meeting was held to plan the creation of a splinter group aimed at weakening the Democratic Citizens Party (DCP).
On Thursday, March 12, Maina claimed that DCP Deputy Leader Cleophas Malala met with allies of Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru at a popular hotel for a lengthy session between 8 pm and 10 pm. The purpose, she said, was to plot against the party leadership and strategically weaken DCP’s influence in Kirinyaga County.
Maina’s claims have sent shockwaves through the political landscape, highlighting alleged clandestine efforts to undermine DCP leader and former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
According to Maina, the meeting is just the tip of the iceberg in a broader scheme to destabilize DCP and consolidate influence for the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) in counties where DCP is gaining traction.
Revelations of Malala Being Ruto’s Mole In DCP Shake Opposition Party Unity
Hon. Njeri Maina provided a detailed account of the alleged clandestine meeting, claiming that Malala convened Members of County Assembly (MCAs) allied to Governor Waiguru. The meeting, she said, was designed to form a splinter group to challenge Gachagua’s loyalists in Kirinyaga.
“Cleophas Malala, I am aware that yesterday, between 8 pm and 10 pm, you met a section of MCAs allied to Governor Anne Waiguru from Kirinyaga County,” Maina stated. “I’m also aware that the agenda was to create a splinter group to challenge Rigathi Gachagua’s foot soldiers in that county.”
Maina alleged that the attendees were each facilitated with Ksh20,000, funds she claimed came from individuals seeking to derail Gachagua’s influence. She also questioned Malala’s intentions and suggested a pattern of behavior extending back to his tenure as secretary-general in UDA, where she said he frequently solicited money for political favors.
“This alleged meeting is part of a deliberate effort to fracture our party’s unity,” Maina said. “I do not know who you work for, nor do I want to speculate. I also do not know what personal vendetta you have with leaders supporting Gachagua in Kirinyaga, and I want to say this publicly so that it is on record.”
Malala Is Secretly Aligned With Ruto’s UDA Party
Maina’s accusations point to a broader alignment between Malala and political actors supportive of President William Ruto. She claims the meeting included figures from the broader UDA network and is consistent with efforts to undermine opposition parties that challenge Ruto’s influence.
“This is not just about Kirinyaga; it is a strategy by some individuals to plant Ruto-aligned operatives within opposition outfits,” Maina said. “Malala appears to be acting as a mole within DCP to influence its leadership decisions in favor of the UDA.”
Observers say these developments are likely to heighten tensions within DCP, especially as internal loyalty battles intensify ahead of upcoming elections. Former Nominated Senator Millicent Omanga and the Linda Mwananchi faction have reportedly been identified as allies in this Ruto-aligned effort, working to counter DCP’s broader base led by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino.
Political Implications for DCP Unity
The allegations threaten to destabilize DCP at a time when the party is seeking to consolidate support and establish a clear opposition agenda. If the claims are true, Maina warns that the party could face a splintering scenario similar to what has been seen in other emerging political outfits.
“This is about safeguarding the party’s integrity and ensuring that external forces do not dictate our internal decisions,” Maina said. “We must resist attempts to weaken DCP from within and protect the democratic mandate of our members.”
Political analysts note that accusations of “moles” within opposition parties are common in Kenya’s political environment, especially where alliances with ruling parties could yield strategic advantages. However, the explicit naming of Malala and the detailing of alleged financial facilitation make this case particularly explosive.
Calls for Transparency and Accountability
In response to Maina’s claims, neither Cleophas Malala nor Governor Waiguru has issued statements. Maina has called for full transparency and accountability, emphasizing that political sabotage within parties undermines democratic processes.
“You shall face off with me where the rubber meets the road,” she warned Malala, asserting that any attempts to manipulate DCP from within will be publicly challenged. Her statements suggest a readiness to pursue the matter politically and possibly legally if further evidence of internal subversion surfaces.
