Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) Deputy Party Leader Cleophas Malala has sensationally claimed that the chaos witnessed during the launch of their party was orchestrated by the government.

Speaking during an interview on Thursday, May 15, 2025, Malala said that the goons who disrupted the event and triggered a shootout involving the security detail of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua were sent by state operatives to paint the party as disorganised and violent.

“We notified the police of the launch because you can’t launch a political party in secrecy. Our physical address is very conspicuous. It was already in the public domain that we were launching our party. At no point did we expect such a reaction from a planned group. That group was planned and sent by the government because the government is paranoid,” Malala said.

He questioned how hundreds of youths could descend on a party function uninvited, cause mayhem, and yet no single police officer has followed up on the incident.

 “How can an event be disrupted by such a large number of individuals, and to date, no police officer has come to the premises or even made a call to enquire what happened? This was clearly planned,” he added.

Malala claimed the state intended to ensure Gachagua’s new political vehicle is either not launched at all or, if it must be, then it should be associated with violence and chaos.

“It was planned that this party should not be launched. The party must be stained with optics of chaos,” he asserted.

He also accused the government of intimidation through repeated disruptions of Gachagua’s meetings across the country.

“Wherever we go, there is chaos. This is meant to intimidate us, but we will not be intimidated because we have Kenyans on our side. We are focused on building a party that is tolerant and all inclusive,” Malala insisted.

In his final remarks, Malala took the opportunity to apologise on behalf of the party to journalists who were injured during the fracas.

“I want to take this opportunity to say sorry to the journalists who were assaulted. That was not part of our plan.”

Gachagua, on Thursday, May 15, 2025, launched his DCP party in Lavington. During the event, his key allies were given major positions in the party, with Malala appointed as the interim deputy party leader.

The event later turned chaotic, with heavy shouting as supporters who had attended ran for safety.