Malala accuses Ruto of ethnic profiling against Kikuyus, reviving '41 vs 1' politics

The Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) deputy leader Cleophas Malala has accused President William Ruto of orchestrating ethnic profiling against the Kikuyu community ahead of the 2027 General Election.

The former Kakamega Senator drew parallels to the divisive “41 vs 1” narrative associated with the 2007 post-election violence period, saying Ruto was seeking to seclude the community associated with his former deputy, Rigathi Gachagua.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Malala claimed the alleged scheme had been ongoing for months and warned that it risked reviving ethnic tensions in the country.

“Over the last couple of months, we have witnessed a well-structured ethnic profiling of the members of the Kikuyu community by President William Ruto. This is a well-orchestrated move ahead of the 2027 elections in what Mr. William Ruto scripted in 2007 of the 41 vs 1,” he said.

“We all know what that led Kenya into. We lost over 1,300 Kenyans and hundreds of thousands of Kenyans are up to date in IDP camps.”

Malala singled out Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen and the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Secretary General Hassan Omar as key figures allegedly pushing the narrative.

He faulted Murkomen for what he termed as reducing national security concerns into ethnic politics instead of addressing the insecurity challenges facing the country.

“Reducing critical security issues into an ethnic clash between a Kikuyu and Kalenjin affair is bad for our nation, Mr Murkomen,” he stated.

“As you do your simple mind games, cattle rustling in Meru is wreaking havoc. Mandera is occupied by Jubaland forces, goons are taking control of towns.”

The outspoken politician further accused the government of attempting to frame public frustrations over the high cost of living and governance failures as an ethnic contest.

“When Kenyans come out in the streets to demonstrate about high costs of fuel, mutilated payslip, dysfunctional SHA, failed education systems, it is not Kikuyu vs Kalenjin community Mr. Kipchumba Murkomen,” he said.

“It is about 55 million Kenyans suffering high taxation, double standards, bad roads, poor policy, among others.”

Malala also criticised the government over rising fuel prices, terming the latest fuel hikes insensitive and harmful to ordinary Kenyans.

“The government cannot purport that the high fuel cost only affects the matatu sector. Every Kenyan is affected by this insensitive fuel hike,” he said.

Weighing in on the matatu strike, the DCP Deputy Party Leader cautioned against increasing transport fares despite ongoing negotiations with the government.

He said, “To the matatu sector, do not dare increase the costs of transport or fare costs since you agreed to the one-week negotiation with the government.”

At the same time, Malala accused the government of using ethnic narratives to divert attention from the Finance Bill 2026/2027 and growing public discontent, asserting that Kenyans were aware of the schemes.

“But we know all this balkanization is meant to hoodwink Kenyans on the punitive Finance Bill 2026/2027. If you think it will stop Kenyans from asking questions, you are far from what the reality is,” he said.