Former Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala caused a stir in Malava after boldly switching to his own microphone when the official one he was using at a funeral was abruptly switched off.
The dramatic incident unfolded at the burial of Enock Andanje, where mourners had gathered under white tents, with the podium draped in a red carpet and flower vases placed at the front.
Malala, the deputy party leader of the Democratic Citizen Party, known for his fiery speeches, had taken to the microphone to address the crowd. But soon after being reminded that time was running out by Deputy Governor Ayub Savula, the former senator brushed aside the calls.
“Wewe Savula wacha maneno ya time buana, mimi naongea mambo ya maana, wewe relax… mimi sio mtu wa kuharakisha,” he retorted in Swahili, directly dismissing Savula’s request for him to wind up.
Moments later, his microphone went dead. Looking visibly irritated, Malala demanded to know why the sound had been cut. “Sasa mkizima microphone… mbona mzime microphone yangu?” he asked the organisers, drawing murmurs from the crowd.
Without hesitation, he stretched out his hand and called for his own microphone. Once it was handed over, Malala made it clear he had anticipated the sabotage.
“Mimi najipanganga. Nilikuja na gari yangu. Mkizima, naongea. Mimi sio mtu wa kuchezea. Weka yako chini ukitaka,” he declared, before adding, “Nilijua watafinya nika jipanga.”
With his backup mic now blaring across the venue, Malala continued with his speech undeterred. He launched into a scathing critique of the government, particularly on the state of healthcare.
“Watu wanafika hospitali na hakuna dawa. Wewe unaeza sema matibabu ni bure lakini kwa dispensary hakuna dawa,” he lamented, accusing leaders of making empty promises.
Turning his focus to Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, Malala challenged him to take responsibility after President William Ruto himself had raised concerns about corrupt MPs.
He went further to question the president’s pledges, insisting that citizens were suffering while leaders enjoyed comfort in Nairobi.
Despite continued efforts to cut him short, Malala pressed on, his defiance becoming the highlight of the day. Online, the video of him pulling out his own microphone quickly went viral
