Malala's appointment as interim secretary general revoked by UDA

Piece by: BRIAN ORUTA
News

•The NEC meeting was chaired by the party's chairperson and Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire.

UDA secretary general Cleophas Malala addressing the media on March 15, 2023 at the UDA Headquarters.
Image: KEITH MUSEKE

The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party has announced the revocation of Cleophas Malala's appointment as interim Secretary General.

In a statement on Friday, the party said that upon consultation, the position will be taken up by vice chairperson, Hassan Omar, on an Interim basis.

The party's National Executive Committee (NEC) said the changes are effective immediately.

"Upon wide and consultative deliberations, and in compliance and by 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 Hon Cleophas Malala as the interim Secretary General is hereby revoked," the party said.

The party's chairperson and Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire chaired the NEC meeting.

Other NEC members including elected leaders were also present.

The party said it will also be making administrative changes after the meeting.

"Resultantly, the Party will be implementing a raft of governing and administrative measures to accelerate its agenda and to set forth a distinctive path of inclusive, participative and consultative organisation."

Malala was appointed acting UDA secretary general in February 2023.

He replaced Veronica Maina who was nominated to the Senate.

On Wednesday, the party announced that it would have an emergency  NEC meeting on Friday.

This followed an incident where some supporters of Cleophas Malala stormed the party offices on the same day.

The incident happened barely a day after another group of founding members announced the ‘ouster’ of Malala and declared Joe Khalende as the new SG.

Addressing the press, Party chairperson Cecily Mbarire said the meeting would address the matter in detail and make a decision on the actions it will take in response to today’s incident.

“We are not going to allow this to continue. We will take necessary action on Friday after the NEC meeting,” she said.

She also assured the members that the party remains firm to its course despite today’s incident as she condemned the political goons who she said were mobilised to cause mayhem at the party.

We are a party that believes in the rule of law, we are a party with very clear ways and means of dealing with our conflicts and we do not in any way support what has happened today,” she stated.

Mbarire at the same time took issue with Khalende’s actions saying the party is governed by a constitution.