Former Kakamega County Senator and Democracy For The Citizens Party (DCP) Deputy Party Leader, Hon. Cleophas Wakhungu Malalah, has sharply responded to President William Ruto’s aide, Farouk Kibet, over his remarks dismissing the Opposition’s 2027 presidential plans.
Speaking during a women empowerment program, Farouk Kibet mocked the Opposition, claiming it lacked a credible candidate to face President Ruto in the upcoming general election.
According to Kibet, the Opposition was disorganized and “full of unfocused people.” He further ridiculed statements attributed to some Opposition figures suggesting that even if they fielded a goat against Ruto, it would still defeat him. Kibet described such comments as proof that the Opposition was directionless and detached from reality.
However, Malalah was quick to fire back, accusing Kibet and the Kenya Kwanza administration of ignoring the frustrations of ordinary Kenyans.
According to the former Kakamega Senator, Kibet’s remarks reveal a leadership out of touch with the suffering majority. Malalah insisted that the sentiment about Kenyans voting for “anything, even a goat,” was not about a lack of focus in the Opposition but rather a reflection of deep dissatisfaction with President Ruto’s leadership.
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“It is not just the Opposition speaking, it is the voice of Kenyans who feel betrayed and abandoned by this administration. The people are tired of President Ruto’s unfulfilled promises and skyrocketing cost of living. That is why they say they are ready to vote in anything, as long as it removes him from power,” Malalah said in his rejoinder.
The DCP Deputy Party Leader went further to warn President Ruto against underestimating public anger, saying that the 2027 election could easily turn him into a one-term president. He reminded the Head of State that discontent is spreading beyond party lines, cutting across the political divide and uniting Kenyans in their desire for change.
“President Ruto must understand that Kenyans are not just criticizing him for political reasons. It is not Azimio, DAP, DCP, Jubilee, or any other party making noise. It is the entire country demanding accountability, service delivery, and dignity. If he ignores these voices, he risks becoming the first one-term president under the new constitution,” Malalah cautioned.
He also accused Ruto of entrenching corruption within State House, arguing that frequent political meetings with loyalists had done little to address the real challenges facing citizens.
According to Malalah, the government is spending valuable time consolidating power and rewarding cronies instead of tackling inflation, unemployment, and the high cost of basic commodities.
“Instead of using State House as a breeding ground for endless political schemes, the President should be working on stopping corruption and addressing the plight of Kenyans. Kenyans are angry because corruption continues to flourish under his watch, and nothing is being done to protect public resources,” Malalah added.
The former Senator’s remarks highlight growing tension between government allies and the Opposition, as the 2027 elections slowly creep into the political conversation.
For the Opposition, the debate around its presidential candidate remains ongoing, with various leaders insisting that the issue will be settled closer to the polls.
However, Malalah’s counterattack underscores a broader narrative that the election will not necessarily be about personalities but rather about Kenyans’ frustrations with the current administration.
Political analysts suggest that the exchange between Kibet and Malalah reflects early campaigns already taking shape. With the cost of living and governance concerns dominating national discourse, Opposition leaders are seizing every opportunity to frame the 2027 race as a referendum on President Ruto’s record.
As both camps trade words, the Kenyan public remains caught between political promises and harsh economic realities. Whether the Opposition eventually fields a “goat,” as Kibet mockingly claimed, or rallies behind a strong candidate, Malalah insists the outcome will be the same Kenyans eager for change at the ballot box.
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