Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) Deputy Party Leader Cleophas Malala has suggested that Kenya could witness unexpected political reunions ahead of the 2027 General Election, including a possible thawing of relations between President William Ruto and his former deputy Rigathi Gachagua.
Speaking during a local radio interview on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, Mr Malala said political alliances would continue shifting before the next election, noting that today’s disagreements do not necessarily define tomorrow’s partnerships.
“Politics is dynamic. Those who understand politics know that there are no permanent enemies or permanent friends. What remains constant is the interest of the people,” Malala said.
His remarks come months after a dramatic fallout between President Ruto and Mr Gachagua, who were elected together in 2022 on the Kenya Kwanza Alliance ticket after running a joint campaign that promised economic transformation and a new political order.
The two leaders, once presented as a formidable political partnership, gradually drifted apart after taking office, with disagreements emerging over issues ranging from political influence and regional representation to government decision-making.
The fallout reached its peak in 2024 when relations between the President and his deputy deteriorated publicly, culminating in Gachagua’s removal from office through an impeachment process.
Their political separation marked one of the most significant splits in Kenya’s recent political history, given that the two had campaigned together across the country and presented themselves as partners in delivering the Kenya Kwanza agenda.
During the 2022 campaign, Ruto and Gachagua repeatedly appeared on the same platforms, asking voters to support their administration as a team.
“We are not looking for power for ourselves; we are looking for an opportunity to transform Kenya,” the two leaders said during their campaign rallies, as they sought to convince voters that their partnership represented stability and change.
However, after forming government, differences emerged, with Gachagua increasingly positioning himself as a defender of certain regional interests while Ruto focused on consolidating his administration and expanding his political base.
The former deputy president has since become one of the most vocal critics of the government he helped create, accusing the administration of abandoning some of the promises made during the 2022 campaign.
But Malala’s comments highlight the possibility that Kenyan politics could yet produce another dramatic realignment.
Political alliances in Kenya have often been shaped by negotiations rather than permanent ideological positions. Leaders who have previously separated have repeatedly found themselves on the same side during election cycles when interests converge.
Malala pointed to this political reality, arguing that leaders should not close doors in a constantly changing environment.
His remarks come as parties and political figures begin positioning themselves for the 2027 elections, with questions emerging over who will form the major alliances.
For President Ruto, rebuilding or expanding his political base remains a key priority as he seeks a second term. For Gachagua, maintaining influence after leaving government will depend on his ability to mobilise support and build new partnerships.
A political reunion between the two former allies would dramatically reshape the 2027 contest, while a continued rivalry could deepen the divisions within the Kenya Kwanza coalition that brought them to power.
