Malala Accuses Ruto Government of Ethnic Profiling Amid Rising Political Tensions

DCP Deputy Party Leader Senator Cleophas Malala has accused President William Ruto’s administration of orchestrating ethnic profiling against members of the Kikuyu community in what he described as a calculated political strategy ahead of the 2027 General Election.

In a lengthy statement issued on Tuesday, May 20, 2026, Malala claimed senior government officials were reviving divisive ethnic politics similar to the “41 versus 1” narrative associated with the 2007 post-election violence that left more than 1,300 people dead and displaced hundreds of thousands of Kenyans.

Malala directly criticized Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen and UDA Secretary General Hassan Omar, accusing them of framing criticism against President Ruto as an ethnic confrontation between the Kikuyu and Kalenjin communities.

“The suffering in Kenya is not about Kikuyu versus Kalenjin. It is about millions of Kenyans struggling under high taxation, expensive fuel, poor policies and insecurity,” Malala said.

He faulted Murkomen for allegedly politicizing security concerns instead of addressing growing insecurity in parts of the country, including cattle rustling in Meru and tensions along the Kenya-Somalia border involving Jubaland forces.

Malala also linked the government’s alleged ethnic rhetoric to mounting public anger over the rising cost of living, fuel prices, the implementation of the Social Health Authority (SHA), and the proposed Finance Bill 2026/2027.

According to the former Kakamega senator, Kenyans protesting against economic hardship were doing so because of frustrations with government policies rather than tribal considerations.

“When Kenyans come out to protest high fuel prices, failed education systems and mutilated payslips, it is not an ethnic war. It is citizens demanding accountability from their government,” he stated.

Malala further accused the government of attempting to distract the public from the impact of rising fuel costs by narrowing discussions to the transport sector alone.

He warned matatu operators against increasing fares after entering negotiations with the government over fuel prices, arguing that ordinary citizens should not shoulder additional economic burdens.

The remarks come amid heightened political debate over the country’s economic direction and growing criticism from opposition leaders who accuse the Kenya Kwanza administration of overtaxation and poor governance.

Neither Murkomen nor Hassan Omar had publicly responded to Malala’s accusations by Tuesday evening.