We can now reveal that a high-level meeting convened to address internal tensions within a faction allied to Rigathi Gachagua ended in dramatic fashion on Monday night, after unexpected revelations left several Mt Kenya MPs stunned.
The closed-door session, held at Gachagua’s Olive Gardens Hotel in Hurlingham along Argwings Kodhek Road, had been called to resolve growing concerns over the rising influence of Cleophas Malala. According to sources familiar with the discussions, a section of MPs accused Malala of overstepping his role by actively engaging in Mt Kenya politics, including holding meetings with local leaders and interacting with their political rivals.
The MPs reportedly expressed discomfort with his growing profile and proposed the introduction of a second deputy party leader position within the Democracy for Citizen Party (DCP) as a way to contain his influence. The proposal is said to have received backing from Gachagua, signaling a coordinated attempt to restructure the party’s leadership.
However, the meeting took an unexpected turn when Malala responded.
Sources indicate that Malala told the gathering they were discussing party matters with individuals who were not legally members of DCP. In a revelation that reportedly caught many by surprise, he stated that apart from himself, none of those present—including Gachagua—were formally registered members of the party.
He is said to have challenged the MPs to first resign from their current political parties and seek fresh mandates under DCP before attempting to influence its internal structure and leadership decisions.
The remarks left the room in shock, particularly as many MPs had assumed that Gachagua had already severed ties with the United Democratic Alliance (UDA). This belief stemmed from a letter dated May 12, 2025, in which Gachagua reportedly indicated his intention to resign from UDA.
However, Malala reportedly clarified that such a letter, addressed to the party’s Secretary General, does not amount to a formal resignation under Kenyan law. Party membership, he noted, is only officially terminated through the Registrar of Political Parties. As such, Gachagua remains a registered member of UDA.
Malala is also said to have pointed out that formally exiting UDA could complicate Gachagua’s ongoing impeachment case, suggesting that retaining membership may be a strategic legal decision.
Sources described the atmosphere as tense and unusually quiet following the exchange, with one MP claiming Gachagua did not respond to the assertions. Malala reportedly warned that unless there was a way to coexist politically, he could walk away with the party.
In the aftermath, insiders say some MPs allied to Gachagua have begun exploring alternative political options, wary of escalating tensions further. While no official resolutions were announced, the meeting has raised fresh questions about party loyalty, leadership, and control within the emerging political formation.
