Former Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala has rejected Governor Fernandes Barasa’s demand for the retraction of allegations surrounding a viral video allegedly connecting him to witchcraft, instead threatening to release more videos and other material purportedly linking the governor to witchcraft.
In a letter dated September 29, 2026, and addressed to Barasa through his lawyers, Malala had instructed them to respond to a demand for the retraction of what the governor had described as defamatory claims.
The lawyers said Malala denied the demand and alleged that Barasa’s alleged association with witchcraft was “historical,” citing an alleged incident during his tenure as KETRACO chief executive officer.
According to the letter, Malala claims to have information concerning an alleged visit by Barasa to a witchdoctor and an incident involving the then KETRACO board chairman, Joseph Musyimi Mutambu. The letter does not provide independent evidence to substantiate the allegations.
“Our client is of the view that your propensity to witchcraft is historical. He draws your attention to your tenure as Chief Executive Officer KETRACO and particularly to an incident where you visited a witchdoctor and used black magic on Hon. Joe Musyimi Mutambu the Chair of KETRACO board (then) with the view of killing him. Hon. Sen. Malala is willing to make public this video for your benefit and that of the general public,” the letter read in part.
Malala’s lawyers further claimed that their client was in possession of an audio conversation allegedly involving Barasa and former Sports Cabinet Secretary Rashid Echesa, which they said could be released publicly.
They also alleged that Malala had a video purportedly showing Barasa performing rituals involving an unidentified female body.
The lawyers said Malala was prepared to release the alleged material to the governor and the public while asking him to extend a 24-hour period before further content was published.
The response followed a statement from the Kakamega County Government accusing Malala and his alleged associates of circulating a manipulated and AI-generated video purporting to depict Barasa in a witchcraft setting. The county government said legal action had been initiated over the publication.
Malala’s lawyers, however, maintained that their client would not apologize, retract the claims, or negotiate the demand, and challenged Barasa to take the matter to court.
The allegations contained in the lawyers’ letter have not been independently verified, and Barasa has denied the authenticity of the viral material through his office.
