Arrest Cleo Malala over West Kabras by-election violence, police told

Police have been urged to arrest DCP deputy party leader Cleophas Malala for allegedly orchestrating violence during the West Kabras by-election.

Malala is alleged to have hired goons and armed them with crude weapons to cause chaos in Mayuige in West Kabras Ward, which held its by-election yesterday.

Led by Presidential aide Farouk Kibet, leaders criticised the attacks on voters, especially women, and called on the police to swiftly arrest Malala for allegedly organising violence against peaceful voters.

Kibet said it was unconstitutional for the DCP to resort to violence after sensing defeat by the UDA candidate.

“UDA pitched camp in the ward and peacefully campaigned for its candidate and, as you can see, we won the seat. But DCP ran out of ideas and lacked proper campaign machinery. After sensing defeat, you unleashed armed goons to reign terror on innocent voters who were exercising their democratic right. This is very wrong, and action should be taken against you,” he said.

Kibet termed the alleged actions as cowardly and warned that 2027 would not be easy for them either.

“This is just the beginning. UDA has carried the day in all the by-elections held across the country, sending a strong message that it is the most sought-after party,” he said.

He described the attacks as backward and primitive and called on residents to block the DCP from making political inroads in Malava in 2027.

“How can a leader whom you voted for in the last polls, when he sought to become governor and gained over 30,000 votes in Malava, hire goons to unleash violence on the same voters he once depended on?” he posed.

Kibet further stated that the government would not allow political thuggery from the opposition and warned that Malala would not be allowed to cause trouble among peace-loving voters in Malava.

“The people of Malava decided during the constituency by-election and elected David Ndakwa (UDA) as their MP, and now they have elected Elphas Shalakha (UDA) as their West Kabras MCA. Why are you forcing yourselves on people who have already made their decision to support UDA? You have run out of options and are now using goons to intimidate voters,” he said.

He accused the DCP of lacking an agenda to convince voters and warned that they would face political defeat in 2027.

“Who wants to support a party whose leaders are dividing Kenyans along tribal lines, yet we are a country of over 52 tribes?” he asked.

Kibet questioned why Malala was forcing the DCP on Malava voters despite the constituency having its own leadership, led by MP David Ndakwa and working closely with Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa. He urged Malala to respect the leadership in place.

Kibet was speaking in Mutsuma at the home of the newly elected West Kabras MCA during his homecoming ceremony.

Elphas Shalakha was declared the winner of the West Kabras Ward seat after garnering over 3,000 votes against the DCP candidate, who received 2,640 votes.

Several people, especially women, were reportedly injured after alleged goons attacked them for supporting the UDA candidate.

Also condemning the violence was Principal Secretary for Higher Education Dr Beatrice Inyangala, who said she was shocked by the incident in which an elderly family that hosted a UDA women’s meeting had their house vandalised and sustained serious injuries during the attacks.

Dr Inyangala asked for forgiveness, saying she had introduced Malala to the people of Malava when they campaigned together as governor and deputy governor candidates.

She said she regretted the association, claiming he had turned against the same people who once supported him.

“I regret having joined ranks with Malala, as I thought he was someone we could work with to bring development. Little did I know he would turn against our people,” she said.

She urged voters to be cautious of him in 2027 when he seeks their votes again.

Dr Inyangala called on residents to support President William Ruto’s bid for a second term through the UDA party.

“We are in government and fully support the President’s second term. I am confident we shall emerge victorious, as the opposition has failed to present a tangible development record and is relying on empty rhetoric,” she said.