UDA founders dismiss Malala's leadership claim

United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Founders Association Chairperson Joe Khalende. [Standard, File]

The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Founders Association has dismissed claims by former interim Secretary General Cleophas Malala, claiming he still holds the position within the party.

 The association called his remarks "outrageous" and urged the public to disregard them.

In a statement on Thursday, August 15, Chairperson Joe Khalende accused Malala of conspiring with detractors to undermine the party.

"In his statement, Malala confirms our fears – that he’s been working with our detractors to sabotage the party from within," said Khalende.

The Founders supported the appointment of Hassan Omar as interim Secretary General and rejected Malala's claims.

They also warned party staff not to conduct any business with Malala, citing his unauthorised use of party stationery and logos to communicate with the media.

Khalende said the leadership changes followed the party constitution.

He criticised Malala's tenure, pointing to what he called "larceny, nepotism, ineptitude and mismanagement of party resources."

The association plans to file a disciplinary action against Malala with the party's Internal Dispute Resolution Committee.

They also seek his immediate expulsion from the party.

"The party remains stable under Hassan Omar, with efforts to audit staff, review procurement processes, conclude grassroots elections and implement President William Ruto's Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA)," added Khalende.

Khalende’s statement comes after Malala in an earlier statement dismissed his removal from the party as an "outright coup."

Malala, who is challenging his dismissal at the party's dispute tribunal committee, claims he remains the party's legally recognised Secretary General.

"My ouster by the above officials had nothing to do with incompetence or my inability to run the UDA party," said Malala in a press conference in Nairobi on Thursday, August 15.

"It was a well-choreographed script intended to climax with the impeachment of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua," he added.