Homa Bay Town constituency Member of Parliament (MP) Peter Kaluma has dared former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua to field a candidate in the upcoming Malava constituency by-election.
Taking to his official X account on the night of Thursday, July 3, 2025, Kaluma challenged Gachagua to test the popularity of his Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) in the Western Kenya region by fielding a candidate.
“The impeached comedian from Mt Kenya entertained the people of Western Kenya today. Now running a candidate in Malava Constituency, we see how many people can vote for your nonsense!” Kaluma stated.
After launching his DCP party, Gachagua appointed former Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala as the interim deputy party leader.
Malala has since made two attempts to popularise the party in the Western region, with the first attempt being thwarted by the police.
Gachagua’s Western tour
Gachagua, in the company of other opposition figures, was in Kakamega, where he claimed that he confronted President William Ruto over what he termed as deliberate neglect of Western Kenya.
He claimed that the Head of State downplayed his concerns by suggesting that development was no longer a priority in the region, so long as key leaders, Musalia Mudavadi and Moses Wetang’ula, were satisfied.
Stalled projects
Speaking during the opposition’s western region tour on Thursday, July 3, 2025, Gachagua, who was once one of Ruto’s fiercest defenders, stated that he had personally questioned the president over the region’s stalled infrastructure projects and the privatisation of strategic assets.
“So I asked Ruto about this Western Kenya issue — about the 100-kilometre stretch of road. You have already sold Nzoia Sugar; you have sold everything, so what do you intend to do with the Luhya community? He responded by saying, ‘If Musalia and Wetang’ula are full, then the Luhya are full.’ But are you truly full? No. Ruto should go now,” Gachagua said.
On the same note, Gachagua decried the pivotal role he had played in propelling President Ruto to the helm of power, expressing profound regret and stating that the Head of State has now become the most detested leader among the people.
He pleaded with the residents of Western Kenya to extend forgiveness to him, emphasizing that he is acutely aware that, were it not for his intervention, Ruto would never have ascended to the presidency.
“I am the one who brought all this trouble upon Kenya because I helped Ruto win the presidential seat. So, Western Kenya, you will have to forgive me. I played a role, but the problem is repeating a mistake, which I won’t,” Gachagua said.
