Cleophas Malala ousted as Senate Deputy Minority Leader

Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala (pictured) has been removed as the Deputy Minority Leader by NASA senators and replaced by Kilifi Senator Steward Madzayo.

The NASA Senators Parliamentary Group met this morning at Parliament to deliberate on Malala’s ouster.

Malala was accused of alleged gross misconduct and mischief in the recently concluded Matungu parliamentary by-election.

Madzayo’s name will be tabled before Senate this afternoon, so as to inform Speaker Kenneth Lusaka of the change of guard.

The Standard has established that Senators affiliated with NASA were invited to a Parliamentary Group meeting to a a a meeting to take place at 9.00 am Wednesday by Senate Minority Leader James Orengo.  

A total of 28 senators were expected to attend the meeting.

Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala. [David Njaaga,Standard]

Addressing the media just outside parliament buildings after the ouster, Senator Orengo confirmed that all 28 senators had received invitations through the deputy Minority whip Beatrice Kwamboka.

He, however, declined to comment on what they deliberated upon, adding that they will provide a conclusive report later.

Sen. Orengo said they met to cover myriad emerging issues among them the BBI draft bill, questions of leadership within the coalition and consequential bills that will follow the Constitutional Amendment Bill, 2020.

Bad blood

There has been bad blood between Malala and ODM party since last year, but it seems his decision to support ANC candidate Peter Oscar Nabulindo in this month’s Matungu by-election was the straw that broke the camel’s back.

On March 8, Malala surrendered himself to Kakamega Central Police station after word got out of an intended arrest. He would then record a statement over the chaos witnessed during the parliamentary by-election.

Despite his loyalties lying with the Raila Odinga-led party, Malala was elected into Senate on an ANC ticket.

But, trouble seems to always seek out the Kakamega Senator.

In June 2020, he was expelled from the Amani National Congress (ANC) party on account of gross misconduct.

ANC accused Malala of sidelining it even after helping him clinch the Senator's seat in the 2017 General Election.

“The party has decided to expel Senator Malala after deliberations with the National Governing Council. The senator has been prejudicing the activities of the party and has been disloyal,” ANC said in a statement.