Tuesday 20th May, 2025 08:28 AM|

Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) Deputy Party Leader Cleophas Malala has declared that ousting President William Ruto is the party’s top priority before unveiling their comprehensive agenda for Kenyans.

In an interview on K24 TV on May 19, 2025, the former Kakamega Senator responded to critics who have accused DCP, led by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, of lacking a clear policy platform beyond opposing the current administration.

He defended this approach, arguing that implementing any policy agenda would be impossible without first removing the current government.

“Many people have said that we don’t have an agenda, that our job is just to say Ruto must go, one term,” Malala stated.

“But for our agenda, even if we have a good agenda, how will we implement it if Ruto doesn’t leave? That’s why we must start with his departure,” he explained.

The outspoken politician maintained that the Gachagua-led party’s current messaging is simply reflecting public sentiment, stating that citizens are calling for Ruto to serve just one term.

“But for now, our rallying call is that we are listening to the ground. And if the ground says that the president should serve one term, then that’s what we are saying. Because we’ve said our job is to listen to the ground,” he stated.

“If the people are saying ‘Ruto must go,’ then we will follow what Kenyans want,” he added.

Malala revealed that the party plans to officially launch on June 4, 2025, when they will provide more details about their vision and policy framework.

“On the fourth, we will launch the DCP party. That’s the day we will provide direction,” he announced.

He insisted that any meaningful political or economic transformation must begin with leadership change, framing it as a prerequisite to rolling out the party’s full vision for the country.

Addressing critics, Malala dismissed what he termed as attempts by political opponents to define DCP’s messaging, saying the party would not be dictated to by its detractors.

“We have a good plan that we will unveil gradually. But those who are our opponents cannot dictate what we say,” he added.

Malala further dismissed recent criticism, labelling DCP as a tribal outfit, arguing that such labels are false and aimed at undermining the party’s growing national reach.

“Some are saying DCP is a party for the Wamunyoro community alone, it’s a tribal political outfit. That is false. You cannot compare DCP with UDA,” he said.

According to Malala, DCP has already made significant inroads into Ruto’s support base, claiming that nearly 2.8 million Kenyans have left the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) since the unveiling of DCP on May 15, 2025.

“Many people who have now lost faith in the UDA party are leaving. Since we announced our party, around 2.8 million people have left the UDA party,” he stated.

“Once we officially launch DCP, no one will remain in UDA,” he declared.