Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa has urged the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to take action against the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) Deputy Party leader, Cleophas Malala, for allegedly spreading defamatory statements against him.

Speaking during a public event on Saturday, July 12, the Kakamega county chief claimed that Malala has been running an online campaign that alleges that the governor has been involved in some abductions in the county. According to Barasa, Malala should be summoned by the detectives to justify his allegations by providing evidence. 

According to the governor, the DCI should also launch a probe into Malala's claims, and if found legitimate, the detectives and other security agencies should take action against anyone who is identified as being responsible for the abductions.

"I want to tell our security officers that we cannot allow individuals to spread rumours and propaganda on social media. I want the DCI to summon Cleophas Malala so that he can explain and justify his claims of the abductions he says I'm involved in; he must tell us the whole truth," Barasa said.

Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa gives an address during a public participation forum in Ikolomani sub-county, Kakamega County on October 6, 2023.

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County Government of Kakamega

Barasa, who claims that Malala's "false propaganda" is a strategy to lay ground to vie for the county's gubernatorial seat in the 2027 general polls, said that the DCP leader should focus on selling his agenda to people rather than spreading false claims and tarnishing the names of other politicians against politicians.

"We are very busy serving the people of Kakamega, and if you are looking for votes, come and tell people your agenda once you get the seat," the governor said.

In recent months, Malala, who joined forces with other opposition leaders led by the former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua after decamping from President William Ruto's side, has been among individuals who have been at the forefront in repeatedly slamming the government over unfulfilled promises.

Just last Month, the former United Democratic Alliance (UDA)  Secretary General claimed that he was ousted from the position after he attempted to hold President William Ruto and his administration accountable to the promises made during the 2022 General Election campaigns.

During his time as the SG of the ruling party, Malala claimed that he had complied with all the pledges the president had made during his campaigns before the  2022 general elections, with the intention to track their progress.

However, Malala claimed that after approaching the president to remind him of his signature philosophy of uplifting the low in the society, the president " saw us as people who had lost hope."

“When I was Secretary General of UDA, I tried to bring all the matters and issues that we promised and compiled them into a single document," Malala stated on Monday, June 23.

"But it became impossible for the leadership to actualise what they had promised. When we tried to raise pertinent issues, we were seen as moles,”  he added.

DCP Deputy Party Leader Cleophas Malala during a rally at Malindi town in Kilifi County on Sunday, June 8, 2025.

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Cleophas Malala