Fresh allegations have emerged amid the ongoing political fallout involving allies of Rigathi Gachagua and Cleophas Malala, following claims that MCAs attending a meeting were given cash.
Cleophas Malala has been accused of facilitating alleged bribe payments of Ksh 20,000 to a section of Members of the County Assembly from Kirinyaga County.
According to a statement shared on March 12 by Kirinyaga County Woman Representative Njeri Maina, Malala met a section of Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) allied to Waiguru from Kirinyaga County at Golden Palm in Kenol between 8.00 pm and 10.00 pm.
Additionally, she alleged that the meeting aimed to form a splinter group to counter leaders backing Gachagua in the county.
” I am aware that yesterday, between 8.00 PM and 10.00 PM, you met a section of MCA’s allied to Gov. Anne Waiguru from Kirinyaga county at Golden Palm Kenol. I’m also aware that the agenda was to create a splinter group to fight H.E. Rigathi Gachagua, EGH’s foot soldiers in that county,” Njeri Maina said.
Malala on Spot Over Alleged Ksh 20,000 Bribe Payments to Kirinyaga MCAs
Njeri Maina further accused Cleophas Malala of facilitating Members of the County Assembly who attended a meeting with KSh20,000 each, alleging that the funds were obtained from individuals seeking to derail what she described as the agenda of the people and a “united alternative government.”
“You facilitated the MCA’s in attendance with Kshs. 20,000; monies you obtained from persons who seek to derail the agenda of the people and the United Alternative Government,” she said.
In her statement, Maina also questioned what she termed Malala’s personal vendetta against leaders who support Rigathi Gachagua.
She said the issue had previously been discussed privately, but she chose to make it public so that it would be on record after accusing him of crossing what she described as a political red line.
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“You are aware that we have had private meetings over this issue so excuse my lack of discretion on this as you’ve now crossed the rubicon,” Maina said.
Additionally, Cleophas Malala was accused of soliciting money for political favors during his tenure as secretary-general of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
In her statement, Maina challenged Malala to a political confrontation, saying he would face her “where the rubber meets the road.”
She also issued a stern warning, stating that she would treat him with the contempt she believes he deserves going forward.
Gachagua Malala Fallout
Rumours about a possible fallout intensified around January 2026 after Cleophas Malala went silent and missed several public rallies and appearances alongside Rigathi Gachagua.
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Speculation emerged that Malala could be preparing to return to the United Democratic Alliance, led by William Ruto, where he previously served as Secretary General before being removed from the position.
Reports also linked the tension to alleged disagreements over the selection of the Malava by-election candidate and broader political strategy.
Gachagua speaking during a political engagement, Gachagua said Malala had temporarily stepped back from party activities due to illness after attending the Malala Super Cup tournament in Kakamega, and not because of any internal party disagreements.
“Cleophas Malala is a bold leader and a man of principle. Malala was in Kakamega for the Malala Super Cup, after which he fell seriously ill and asked me for permission to rest for a while before returning to party affairs,” Gachagua said.
Malala also denied claims that he was exiting DCP.
