Leon Malala, the son of DCP Deputy Party leader Cleophas Malala, has announced his intention to vie for a Member of Parliament seat.
Speaking in Nyeri on Saturday, April 11, Leon framed his bid as a generational call to action, emphasizing the potential of young people to drive meaningful change across the country.
He underscored the strength of the youth demographic and its growing influence in shaping the nation’s future.
Cleophas Malala’s Son Leon Announces Parliamentary Ambitions. Photo: Courtesy.
He also clarified that his decision to enter the race is not driven by personal ambition or family legacy, but by what he described as a leadership gap that needs to be addressed.
“First, I would like to say that the youth of this country are the biggest asset. We have the numbers, we have the voice, and we have the ability to change this nation; it is our time to lead, even software has updates. I want to state very clearly that I am not a politician, I do not aspire to be a politician, I have never dreamt of being a politician, but today, I am going to vie for Member of Parliament. Not because I want to, not because of my dad, but because of the kind of leadership that this country has offered,” he noted.
The development comes a month after Cleophas Malala dismissed allegations that he had betrayed former Deputy President and DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua.
He rejected claims by Kirinyaga Woman Representative Njeri Maina that he had held meetings with Members of County Assembly (MCAs) from Kirinyaga to undermine Gachagua.
While confirming that the meeting took place, Malala maintained it was aimed at preparing the ward representatives ahead of an engagement with the party leader.
He further emphasized that the consultations were intended to strengthen support for Gachagua and promote unity within the party, reiterating his loyalty to the DCP and its leadership.
The clarification, alongside subsequent events at Wamunyoro, appeared to undercut the claims made by the Woman Representative.
In a photo shared by Cleophas Malala, the MCAs he met were later among those hosted by Rigathi Gachagua at his Nyeri home.
Gachagua said he held discussions with the ward representatives on his planned Kirinyaga tour and welcomed them to the DCP, urging them to remain firm despite political pressure.
Meanwhile, Kirinyaga Woman Representative Njeri Maina alleged that Malala paid some MCAs Ksh20,000 to attend a meeting aimed at forming a splinter group against the former Deputy President.
