UDA executive committee convened early on Friday, August 2. Photo: UDA Party /X
In Summary:
- Tribunal issues order stopping UDA NEC meeting after it had already taken place.
- Malala challenges his removal, citing procedural violations and ongoing disputes.
Confusion has emerged in the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) following an attempt to remove Cleophas Malala from his position as Secretary General.
The Political Parties Disputes Tribunal (PPDT) issued an order preventing the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) from convening.
However, this order came after the committee had already met on the morning of Friday, August 2, and decided to oust Malala.
Malala had filed a petition with the tribunal to stop the meeting, claiming that the NEC intended to remove him from his role without following due process.
He sought intervention from the High Court in Nairobi, where Justice Lawrence Mugambi granted his request, blocking the meeting and scheduling a hearing for September 30.
Despite the court order, the NEC went ahead with the meeting, appointing Vice-chair Hassan Omar as the interim Secretary General.
A faction within the party accused Malala of undermining the government and conducting flawed grassroots elections.
They also criticized his alliances with leaders from Western Kenya, opposing President Ruto’s initiative to form an inclusive government.
Malala’s troubles intensified when a group claiming to be UDA founder members stormed the party headquarters and declared him unwelcome.