Malala dares state to arrest him for backing Gachagua’s warnings
Democracy for the Citizens’ Party (DCP) Deputy Party Leader Cleophas Malala has dared the government to arrest him over his support for former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s recent controversial remarks on election rigging and post-election violence.
Gachagua, in a media interview on May 16, 2025, warned that electoral malpractice in the 2027 elections could lead to a repeat of the 2007/2008 post-election violence — a statement that has drawn significant backlash.
Speaking on a local media station on Monday, May 19, 2025, Malala defended Gachagua, accusing the state of criminalising political speech and honest historical reflection.
“I want to say here categorically, if you’re going to arrest Rigathi Gachagua because he reminded Kenyans about the post-election violence, then you’ll arrest everybody—including me,” Malala declared.
Quoting Gachagua’s controversial statement, the outspoken politician warned about the potential consequences of election rigging in the upcoming 2027 polls.
“I want to say now here that if you rig elections, I’m saying as Cleophas Malala if you rig elections, 2007 post-election violence will look like a Christmas party,” he stated.
Malala questioned the basis for the backlash against Gachagua, arguing that drawing attention to past electoral crises is a crucial part of national discourse and should not be viewed as incitement or criminalised
“Reminding us about the history of Kenya cannot amount to a criminal offence,” he insisted.
Government warnings
Malala’s remarks come amid mounting pressure from state officials in response to Gachagua’s comments.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen on Sunday, May 18, 2025, directly addressed Gachagua’s statements, warning that no leader is above the law.
Murkomen asserted that the government will not tolerate threats of political unrest.
“There are people threatening us. They think they are above the law (and) cannot be arrested and that they cannot be jailed. I am going to tell you under our watch, this country is not going to condone anybody who wants to burn this nation,” he stated.
He affirmed the government’s resolve to uphold public safety, adding, “We are going to do everything under the sun to make sure that for the period we serve this nation, we are going to make this country safe.”
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki also condemned Gachagua’s remarks, labelling them divisive and dangerous.
In a statement posted on his X account on May 17, 2025, Kindiki declared that Kenya would not relapse into electoral chaos.
“Kenya will never return to political violence. Not in 2027, not at any other time in future,” he wrote.
Kindiki pointed out that Kenya had paid a heavy price for political instability during the 2007/2008 crisis, vowing that such a tragedy would not occur again under his watch.
“Our country learnt hard and painful lessons from the 2007/2008 post-election violence. Never again,” he stated.
