Lawyer Nelson Havi has congratulated the self-declared United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Secretary-General Joe Khalende after the party expelled Cleophas Malalah and replaced him with Hassan Omar in an interim capacity.
Taking to his X handle, Havi, a fierce critic of Malalah, said his ouster was complete.
“Pale UDA, the coup is complete. Well done, Joe Khalende,” Havi stated.
On Wednesday, July 31, 2024, Havi adviced the embattled former UDA Secretary-General to give up and vacate the office after Khalende was badly hurt during a confrontation with Malalah’s supporters at the party headquarters.
“Cleophas Malalah, let it go. It will be less painful for you,” Havi said on Wednesday, July 31, 2024.
Khalende had accused Malalah of going against the party’s code of conduct by supporting other political outfits through the newly formed Mulembe People’s Assembly and not taking seriously his job as the Secretary-General.
Following the fracas that were condemned by the UDA’s chairperson, Cecily Mbarire, Malalah was ousted from his position and replaced with the party’s vice chair, Hassan Omar Hassan.
Malalah’s court plea
While Malalah was present during the announcement of the UDA National Executive Committee meeting by Mbarire, he filed an injunction on Thursday, August 1, 2024.
“Pending the hearing and determination of this case, this honourable court is pleased to issue a temporary order barring the first and second respondents (Mbarire and UDA) from convening a NEC meeting on Friday, August 2, 2024, pending the hearing and determination of this application,” Malalah argued.
Malalah urged High Court judge Lawrence Mugambi to invalidate any resolutions that would be made by the UDA NEC to oust him from the party’s leadership.
“This court should be pleased to issue an order of temporary injunction restraining the NEC of the UDA Party from removing the applicant, Honourable Cleophas Wakhungu Malalah, from office or interfering with him in any way or manner in the discharge of his duties as Secretary General of the UDA Party pending the hearing and determination of this application,” Malalah pleaded with the court.
On Friday, August 2, 2024, UDA announced that Malalah was sacked with immediate effect and replaced with Omar Hassan.
“In the meantime, upon wide and consultative deliberations, and in compliance and in accordance with its mandate under Article 8.2 of the Party Constitution, the National Executive Committee has determined to designate the Vice-Chairperson, Hon. Hassan Omar Hassan, to act as the Secretary-General on an interim basis.
“The appointment of Cleophas Malala as the interim Secretary General is hereby revoked. These changes are effective immediately,” UDA noted in a statement.
