Malala Faces Possible Arrest Over Controversial ‘Dead Child’ Comments

Cleophas Malala, the Deputy Leader of the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP), is under increasing public and legal scrutiny following highly controversial comments he made about President William Ruto’s family and the issue of extrajudicial killings in Kenya.

The backlash began after Malala, speaking during a public event, questioned whether financial compensation was sufficient for families who had lost loved ones to unlawful state violence. In a statement many have described as offensive and provocative, he appeared to suggest that President Ruto should endure the same kind of grief experienced by victims’ families. He went further, implying that a monetary payment can not equate to the emotional toll of losing a child. 

"The question we are asking William Ruto is, how much is enough to compensate for a dead child? Is it 2, 5, or 10 million? As Kenyans, we want to fundraise that amount, Ksh10 million, then give it to you, your child dies, and you see whether it will be enough compensation for a dead child,’’ Malala said.

These remarks, which indirectly referenced the President's own family, have sparked outrage across the political divide, with critics accusing Malala of lacking compassion and showing disrespect for the presidency. In response, Stanley Mwangi Wairimu, a resident of Nyandarua County, has filed a formal complaint with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in Kiambu. 

Mwangi, who claims to have both written and video evidence of Malala’s remarks, says that he intends to remain at the DCI offices until authorities act on his complaint. He also calls on Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen and Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja to intervene, stressing the importance of responsibility and restraint from political leaders when addressing sensitive national issues such as bereavement and state violence.

‘’I have travelled from Nyandarua to the DCI Headquarters in Kiambu because I am very saddened by what Malala says, even if he hates the President, then let him at least respect the President’s office,’’ Mwangi said.

This is not the only legal challenge currently facing Malala. Earlier this month, the High Court in Kakamega issued an order barring police from arresting or harassing him in a separate matter involving the controversial landing of a helicopter on a football pitch. His legal team has dismissed the case as politically driven.

As of now, the DCI has not issued an official statement regarding Mwangi’s complaint, leaving the matter unresolved.