Cleophas Malala, DCP Leaders Teargassed at Kakamega Police Station

Cleophas Malala, DCP Leaders Teargassed at Kakamega Police Station

Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) Secretary General Cleophas Malala and a group of party leaders and activists were caught up in running battles with police at Kakamega Central Police Station on Monday, October 12, after officers reportedly fired tear gas and shots into the air to disperse the group.

The confrontation began when Malala, accompanied by lawyer Ken Echesa and other supporters, arrived at the station to present a petition against Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa.

The group accused the governor of allegedly intimidating political opponents and called on security agencies to investigate reported cases of violence and politically motivated attacks.

Tensions escalated shortly after the group arrived, with police reportedly deploying tear gas and firing shots into the air. Journalists covering the incident were also caught up in the chaos, with some reportedly having their equipment confiscated.

The equipment was later returned following Malala’s intervention.

Malala Accuses Barasa of Political Intimidation

In the petition presented to police leadership, Malala called for investigations into what he described as increasing political violence, intimidation and alleged abuse of security agencies in Kakamega County.

The former senator claimed that some police officers were failing to act impartially and urged authorities to investigate the allegations against the governor.

Malala said the petition was intended to draw attention to concerns raised by residents and political actors over their safety.

“We have presented a public petition to the police leadership in Kakamega in what seems to be runaway political violence, goonship and intimidation of the people from compromised officers,” Malala stated.

The DCP secretary general further alleged that more than 300 people had been recruited and trained to attack political rivals, torch houses and target residents.

He shared photographs purportedly showing burnt houses and injured people with journalists as he demanded investigations into the reported incidents.

The allegations had not been independently verified at the time of reporting. Governor Barasa’s response to the claims was also not immediately available.

Malala, who is seeking the Kakamega gubernatorial seat, called on law enforcement agencies to investigate the claims and take action against anyone found responsible.

DCP Leaders Protest Blogger’s Arrest

The confrontation also unfolded amid growing political tensions surrounding the arrest of Nairobi-based blogger Anyama wa Anyama.

Malala criticised the arrest, arguing that criminal proceedings should not be used to silence digital creators or suppress online expression.

He urged the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to investigate the circumstances surrounding the arrest and address the allegations against individuals mentioned in the petition.

The dispute has drawn attention to the relationship between political competition, social media activity and law enforcement in Kakamega County.

However, allegations made by political leaders do not, on their own, establish criminal wrongdoing. Investigations and responses from the relevant parties are necessary to establish the facts.

Dispute Between Malala and Governor Barasa

The latest confrontation follows a public dispute between Malala and Governor Barasa over a controversial social media post allegedly linked to the former senator and directed at the governor.

The post reportedly prompted legal action, while the blogger’s arrest was linked to alleged comments surrounding the controversy.

The dispute has since widened, with Malala and his allies demanding investigations into alleged attacks and intimidation, while the authorities face calls to clarify the circumstances surrounding the arrest.

The competing claims have added to political tensions in Kakamega as leaders position themselves ahead of future electoral contests.

Calls for Police Investigation

Monday’s events have raised questions about the handling of petitions presented by political groups and the safety of journalists covering politically sensitive incidents.

Malala and the DCP delegation want security agencies to investigate the alleged attacks, establish whether officers were involved in any wrongdoing and take appropriate action where evidence supports it.

The police response to the petition and the allegations against Governor Barasa remained unclear at the time of publication.

The developments are likely to keep attention on political security in Kakamega, particularly as authorities face pressure to ensure that complaints of intimidation are investigated fairly and that public gatherings are handled within the law.

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Cleophas Malala, DCP Leaders Teargassed at Kakamega Police Station