In an interview with a local TV station on Thursday, September 17, 2026, Malala said Kenya’s Constitution allows politicians to move between political parties, arguing that changing parties is part of the country’s democratic politics. The former United Democratic Alliance (UDA) politician said his movement between parties should not be viewed as unusual.
He pointed to the political journeys of President William Ruto and the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga. According to Malala, Raila began in FORD Kenya, moved to NDP and LDP, and formed a coalition of four parties. He said Ruto began in KANU, left for URP, then ODM, formed URP and UDM, and is now with ODM and UDA. Malala also listed ANC, ODM and UDA among his own previous party affiliations.
Malala said political affiliations should instead be determined by a party’s philosophy, ideology and the people a politician intends to work with. He said his decision to work with DCP followed growing disagreements with President Ruto’s administration, particularly over its handling of issues affecting young people and the wider public.
He said the 2024 Gen Z protests became one of the issues that widened political differences between him and Ruto. Malala said DCP was formed out of what he had agreed with Ruto, but that the deaths of young people during the protests angered him. He recalled that DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua publicly criticised the government over the deaths of young people during the demonstrations, speaking in Mombasa against the President. The protests, which began over opposition to the Finance Bill 2024, developed into nationwide demonstrations and put the government under pressure over taxation, the cost of living and governance.
Malala also cited disagreements over the government’s housing levy as another issue that contributed to the political split. He said he told Ruto that Kenyans viewed the housing levy as a burden, adding that they had to separate because they did not agree ideologically.
Despite his current association with DCP, Malala said he had not made a permanent commitment to remain in the party. He said his continued membership would depend on whether the party maintains positions and policies consistent with his political beliefs. “I cannot even today say that I will be DCP until I die. If DCP’s ideas change, then I will not be there,” he said.
His remarks highlight the fluid nature of Kenya’s political alliances ahead of the 2027 General Election, with politicians continuing to reassess their affiliations based on party positions, alliances and political interests. Malala’s comments also place his move to DCP within a broader history of political realignments in Kenya, where senior politicians have frequently changed parties and formed new alliances ahead of elections.