Cleophas Malala's son Leon declares interest in parliamentary seat

They say ‘like father like son’ or ‘an apple does not fall far from the tree’, a saying which appears to be openly manifesting itself in young Leon Major Malala.

The young man, a split image of his dad Cleophas Malala, who is a former Kakamega Senator and DCP deputy party leader, is burning up with political ambitions, declaring that the time for youth is now and not tomorrow.

When he speaks, not just in his speech but in his gestures, one may be mistaken to think that it's Malala senior speaking, save that the DCP official is standing right beside Malala junior.

How can a man just take after his father in everything? A question many Kenyans have been asking after a clip of his brief speech emerged online on Sunday morning.

In the clip, Leon Malala appears to ‘correct’ his dad who had earlier encouraged the youths to start their political careers by vying for Member of County Assembly (MCA) seats.

“I have heard my father say something that did not please me, and for the first time, I request to advise you. We are the leaders of tomorrow; we are going to vie for all seats, including senators, governors and the president.”

"First, I would like to say that the youth of this country are the biggest asset. We have the numbers, we have the voice, and we have the ability to change this nation; it is our time to lead, even software has updates," he said during a DCP Youth League event held in Nyeri on Saturday.

Then turning to his own ambition, the young Malala said he was not the kind of politicians the country is used to, but the time has come to now where political boots.

"I want to state very clearly that I am not a politician, I do not aspire to be a politician, I have never dreamt of being a politician, but today, I am going to vie for Member of Parliament. Not because I want to, not because of my dad, but because of the kind of leadership that this country has offered," he declared.

According to him, it's time for the country to face its challenges and take on the system, which he claimed was abducting or killing its own youths daring to speak truth to power.  

“Tell me why we have a regime that kills its own sons and daughters and abducts them and suppresses them," young Malala quipped.

He then concluded his speech by quoting the Bible as he sought to encourage the audience: “I am a solid Christian, and I would like to leave you with one word, saying there is hope for a tree that has been cut down; it will sprout again.”

The young Malala is expected to run for MP in Lurambi, Kakamega county, as he hopes to walk straight in the footsteps of his dad, who started his career as an MCA before heading to the Senate.

In 2022, Cleo Malala unsuccessfully ran for Kakamega governor's seat on a UDA ticket.