MALALA, JEFF TRADE PERSONAL JABS IN LIVE TV CLASH

Former Kakamega Senator and DCP Deputy Party Leader Cleophas Malala clashed with veteran journalist Jeff Koinange during a heated live interview on Citizen TV's Sunday Live ,November 1, with a political discussion quickly degenerating into an exchange of personal insults.

The confrontation, which attracted widespread attention online, unfolded as the two debated Kenya's political future, generational change and the opposition's preparedness for the 2027 General Election.

Appearing on a segment dubbed In the House of DCP, Malala defended his political journey and argued that changing political affiliations should not necessarily be interpreted as a lack of loyalty.

When Koinange challenged his history of moving between political parties, Malala maintained that his political transitions represented growth rather than opportunism.

"Growth is movement. Ruto was in KANU; he moved from KANU to ODM... I am among the founder members of DCP; this is the first party I founded."

However, the discussion took a personal turn when Koinange questioned Malala's influence within DCP, suggesting that Nyandarua Senator John Methu had overtaken him in the party's political hierarchy.

Malala dismissed the suggestion, explaining that Methu had been entrusted with leadership responsibilities in the Mount Kenya region.

"Methu was in charge of the mountain. When the party leader left, we had to assign Methu that position to keep the mountain warm, and he did a very good job."

Koinange, however, continued pressing Malala over his political movements, branding him a party hopper and questioning his consistency.

Malala responded by turning the criticism against his interviewer, accusing him of equally moving between media houses during his broadcasting career.

"Jeff, you are also a media hopper! You keep jumping from one media house to another."

He further took aim at Koinange's long-running television career, comparing him to veteran trade unionist Francis Atwoli and suggesting that he had become too comfortable in his position at Citizen TV.

"Jeff, you are becoming the Atwoli of the media! You have refused to grow. You have been in one place for decades just shouting down guests."

Malala also mocked the journalist's trademark hairstyle, using the Swahili expression "Wewe ni Jeff wa kukaranga nywele!" in another personal swipe.

He went further, questioning Koinange's professional ambitions and suggesting that remaining at the same television station for years reflected a lack of career progression.

Koinange was equally confrontational, firing back with remarks about Malala's political loyalty and comparing his frequent party changes to the women associated with Nairobi's Koinange Street.

"You are a political prostitute! You are a party hopper jumping from one house to another daily."

"You are behaving like a grasshopper, hopping from party to party. Your political behavior is exactly like that of the ladies on Koinange Street!"

The journalist also referred to Malala as a 'Little Ruto', questioning his independent political influence and suggesting that he was attempting to imitate President William Ruto.

Koinange further claimed that Malala had lost his prominence within DCP, with Methu emerging as a more influential figure in the party.

At another point, Malala questioned whether Koinange was genuinely satisfied with remaining at Citizen TV, prompting the journalist to defend his professional standing and financial success.

"Do not worry about my career. I am richer than you will ever be, Malala!"

Koinange also defended his influence as a broadcaster, arguing that politicians sought invitations to his programme because of the platform and audience he commanded.

"People like you are dying to come on a show like this because of me! If there was someone else in my seat, you wouldn't even come!"

The exchange also saw Malala turn Koinange's surname into another punchline, referencing the journalist's previous broadcasting engagements at CNN, KTN, K24 and Citizen TV.

"Jeff, your name is Koinange because you keep jumping from CNN to KTN, then K24, and now Citizen TV!"

The confrontation reportedly became increasingly difficult to contain as the participants talked over one another, with the programme eventually going to a commercial break.

Panelist Ian Mbugua also reportedly walked off the live set after Malala accused participants of behaving like government apologists, further heightening the tension surrounding the discussion.

Beyond the personal exchanges, the interview offered a glimpse into the political disagreements surrounding Malala's position within DCP and his preferred opposition strategy ahead of the 2027 elections.

The former senator has faced questions over his public endorsement of Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna as a potential opposition presidential candidate, despite serving under former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua's DCP leadership.

Gachagua had previously criticised Malala's position, describing him as a 'mini William Ruto' and questioning his authority to announce Sifuna as the party's preferred presidential candidate.

Malala, however, maintained that his endorsement was a personal political preference rather than an official DCP position.

"Yes, that is my desire. Riggy G has alluded to the fact that he is ready to deputise Sifuna. This is an Obama-Biden moment; we need to have a combination of both new and the experience of the past. If well architected, this is going to be the best administration in the history of Kenya."

He further clarified that Gachagua remained DCP's preferred presidential candidate while maintaining his freedom to express personal views during broader opposition coalition negotiations.

"When I speak within DCP, Rigathi Gachagua is my presidential candidate. However, when we move beyond the party's internal position and into coalition negotiations, I have the freedom, as a young Kenyan, to assess the available candidates... and determine who I consider more strategic."

He also reiterated his preference for younger leadership, saying:

"That is in my bone marrow. It's time for fresh and young leadership. I think Sifuna is best in that role... My personal opinion is that let Sifuna fly the ticket; that is not DCP's position."

Malala subsequently downplayed suggestions of a falling-out with Gachagua, portraying the party leader's earlier criticism as guidance from a political mentor rather than evidence of internal divisions.

His political ambitions also extend to Kakamega County, where he has declared interest in the governorship in 2027 on a DCP ticket. He has cited delayed salaries, unremitted statutory deductions and shortages of medicine in county hospitals as some of the issues requiring attention.

The former senator has additionally promoted a political mobilisation strategy dubbed Triple M, bringing together the Mulima, Mulembe and Maasai voting blocs as part of efforts to challenge Ruto's re-election bid.

The exchange quickly became a major talking point across social media, with viewers divided over who had emerged victorious in the verbal showdown.

One social media user, Omwamba, wrote: "I doubt Jeff Koinange will ever invite Cleophas Malala back to the bench again."

Cornelius Ronoh suggested that the confrontation could attract further political reactions, writing: "I hope Cleophas Malala is ready to finish what he has started. The comeback from Francis Atwoli might turn water into wine. Jeff Koinange did not see this coming!"

The interview has since reignited debate over the boundaries between tough political interviewing and personal confrontation, particularly when journalists and politicians abandon policy disagreements for attacks on each other's careers, influence and personal standing.