Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) deputy leader Cleophas Malala has broken his recent absence from the public by joining party leader Rigathi Gachagua and other DCP members of parliament in Mombasa for the final day of the three-day retreat this Monday, January 19, 2026.
Malala has been conspicuously absent and kept a noticeably low profile in recent weeks, missing several key engagements attended by DCP party leader Gachagua, including the party retreat in Mombasa on Saturday.
His absence sparked speculation of a possible fallout with the party boss. The former senator took to his Facebook page to announce his return, attributing his absence to a sickness-related issue.
“Homa imeisha. Dr Wamunyoro’s Brufen is magic. We are now back to work. Focused more than ever before,” he posted.
Meanwhile, his party leader, Gachagua, confirmed that the three-day retreat had come to an end, with the party finalising its year calendar.
“After a 3-day retreat with like-minded legislators, this morning, with the DCP PARTY Deputy Party Leader, we have ratified the Plan of Action for the year. I have tasked Senator Malala to spearhead the implementation of this action on behalf of the party,” he stated.
Gachagua affirmed that the DCP had been assigned the responsibility of implementing the agreed plan for the year.
The party has been in Mombasa for a retreat that kicked off on Saturday amid recent defection and internal rifts within the party.
Gachagua, however, dismissed the rumuor of a potential fallout with his deputy.
Speaking during an interview on Sunday, January 18, 2026, Gachagua addressed growing speculation surrounding Malala’s whereabouts, saying reports suggesting Malala had abandoned his political camp after failing to attend a party retreat in Mombasa were misleading propaganda.
“My deputy party leader, Cleophas Malalah, is sick. He was in Kakamega during the Malala Super Cup, after which he developed a severe flu and requested time off to recover,” Gachagua explained.
He also bashed claims of defection from his party as baseless, adding that recent defectors were mere moles planted inside the party by President William Ruto’s allies.
