The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has summoned Cleophas Malala, Deputy Leader of the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP), to appear at their Kakamega offices on August 8, 2025, following his unauthorized helicopter landing at the Mumias Sports Complex during the Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) national football finals on August 2.
The incident, which occurred during halftime of a match between Musingu High School and St. Joseph’s Kitale, caused panic among students and spectators, prompting accusations of endangering public safety and violating aviation regulations.
The Kakamega helicopter incident unfolded at 2:30 p.m. when Malala’s private chopper abruptly landed on the pitch, disrupting the KSSSA national school games attended by thousands, including Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa, Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya, and Senator Boni Khalwale. Western Region Police Commander Issa Mohamud condemned the act as “reckless” and a “national embarrassment,” citing breaches of the Kenya Civil Aviation Act, Basic Education Act, and Penal Code.
Mohamud warned that Malala and the pilot face potential criminal charges, including endangering public safety and trespass, with the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) investigating the helicopter’s operating company for possible license revocation.
Cleophas Malala landing… pic.twitter.com/K2XEsLFMFA
— KENYA GOSSIP HUB (@kenyasgossips) August 5, 2025
Cleophas Malala, a former Kakamega senator and vocal opposition figure, has a history of controversial encounters with authorities. In May 2025, he was summoned over a chaotic DCP rally in Kakamega, where police used teargas to disperse supporters, accusing him of inciting violence.
Earlier, in April 2025, Malala faced arrest for scripting Echoes of War, a play for Butere Girls High School, which critics claimed referenced the 2024 Gen Z protests.
The High Court granted him anticipatory bail, citing political intimidation. His 2022 gubernatorial loss to Barasa and a subsequent DCI raid on his Milimani home further highlight his turbulent relationship with law enforcement.
The Mumias Sports Complex landing has sparked outrage, with Mohamud emphasizing that Malala’s actions risked a stampede among the 5,000-plus attendees.
The event, part of the KSSSA Term Two games, saw Musingu High triumph 5-1 over Moi High Mbiruri, with Malala’s dramatic arrival overshadowing the victory. The KCAA, alongside the Ministry of Education and DCI, is probing whether the landing violated child safety protocols outlined in the Basic Education Act.
Potential penalties include fines or imprisonment under the Civil Aviation Act, with Mohamud vowing that “the law will take its full course.”
Cleophas Malala summoned by DCIpic.twitter.com/QNsbwNKYI4
— KENYA GOSSIP HUB (@kenyasgossips) August 5, 2025
Malala’s political theatrics, as described by police, align with his reputation for bold gestures. In 2021, the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) summoned him for inciting remarks ahead of an Azimio la Umoja rally at Bukhungu Stadium, where he claimed authority over Kakamega as his “bedroom.”
His recent alignment with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s DCP has intensified scrutiny, with Governor Barasa accusing him of spreading defamatory abduction claims to bolster his 2027 gubernatorial bid. Malala has yet to respond to the latest summons, though past behavior suggests he may frame it as political persecution.
The incident shows tensions between Malala’s theatrical style and public safety concerns, especially at youth-focused events like the KSSSA games, which are stepping stones to the East African Secondary Schools Sports Association (FEASSSA) games starting August 14.
Malala’s history as a drama enthusiast, having scripted award-winning plays for Kakamega High and Butere Girls, adds irony to his current predicament.
His 2020 play Echoes of War won accolades but later drew DCI scrutiny for its political undertones. As investigations proceed, the Kakamega helicopter incident highlights the fine line between political showmanship and legal accountability, with Malala’s August 8 appearance set to determine his fate.
