The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) has sacked its Secretary-General, Cleophas Malalah.
In a statement on Friday, August 2, 2024, the ruling party noted that the party would be taking a raft of governing and administrative measures to accelerate its agenda and to set forth a distinctive path of inclusive, participative, and consultative organisation.
“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.
The sacking comes just days after the party witnessed a standoff at its Ngong Road headquarters where a self-imposed Secretary-General Joe Khalende, who is a lawyer, was badly hurt.
Khalende-Malalah fracas
The lawyer accused Cleophas Malalah of going against the party’s code of conduct by supporting other political outfits through the newly formed Mulembe People’s Assembly.
He also said that Malalah was not taking his role with the seriousness of a secretary-general and that he was opposed to the broad-based government fronted by President William Ruto.
Khalende had come to the UDA headquarters for the second time, purporting to overthrow former UDA Secretary-General Cleophas Malalah, when a confrontation ensued.
Goons believed to be in support of Malalah descended on the lawyer, leaving him with serious head injuries.
On Wednesday, July 31, 2024, UDA chairperson Cecily Mbarire condemned the violence witnessed at the party headquarters, promising that a Friday, August 2, 2024, National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting would pronounce itself concerning the chaos.
“I wish to assure our members that as the NEC we shall make sure we resolve those matters in a fair and the best way possible and the party will be back on its feet and that we will not allow what we’ve seen happen to continue,” Mbarire noted on Wednesday, July 31, 2024.
UDA NEC gives direction
In the resolutions by the UDA NEC, the party said that the National Elections Board would make necessary adjustments and continue with the grassroots elections in the rest of the counties as earlier communicated.
Khalende had accused Malalah of interfering with the grassroots elections.
“These elections will ultimately offer the members of the party an opportunity to choose their leaders from the polling centre all the way to the national level,” UDA said.
The changes are effective immediately, according to the statement by UDA.
