Ni Mtapeli, ni Mwongo, Says Malalah as he Asks Kakamega Residents for Forgiveness for Backing Ruto

Cleophas Malalah and President William Ruto during a previous event|Photo Courtesy|

Former United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party Secretary General Cleophas Malalah has asked Kakamega people for forgiveness following backing up President William Ruto during the 2022 General elections, that saw Ruto clinch the highly contested seat.

While speaking during the final rites of former Kabras South MCA, the late Samson Taali, in Malava, Kakamega, the former SG admitted that he was misled by Ruto to support the Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).

“It would be wrong for me not to say this. In 2022, I campaigned for the president, and you gave me your vote. It would also be wrong for me to come here and not ask for forgiveness,” Malalah said.

He repatriated that giving the President Western votes was a mistake, confirming that due to the way he was coerced through lies, he has decided to part ways with Ruto.

“For the president’s votes, we threw them away. I was deceived. Please forgive me. I was told to speak about the bottom-up agenda, believing it was the truth. But it turns out I was misled. The man is a liar. The man is a scam. I’ve parted ways with him now,” he admitted.

He also at the same time urged politicians not to engage in politics but work for their representatives, for it is too early to start campaigns ahead of 2027 general polls.

“It’s too early for elected leaders to start 2027 campaigns at the expense of service delivery on the mandate given to them by Kenyan voters,” he urged.

Malalah was sacked by the UDA party on August 2, 2024 and was succeeded by Hassan Omar.

After the impeachment of Rigathi Gachagua as the Deputy President on October 17, 2024, Malalah affirmed his support to the former DP who assured coming back to the political arena.

On December, during Cleo Malalah Super Cup in Kakamega, he invited Gachagua to grace the occasion and have a chance to secure support from the Western region, something that attracted criticism from other Western leaders, who claimed the move as divisive.