Cleophas Malala denies ouster, calls it a 'coup'

Former United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party Secretary General Cleophas Malala. [Kanyiri Wahito, Standard]

Cleophas Malala, the former Secretary General of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party, has dismissed his recent removal 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."

Malala accused UDA Chairperson Governor Cecily Mbarire and Kikuyu lawmaker Kimani Ichungwa of orchestrating his removal.

He argued that his close working relationship with Gachagua, who is also the UDA deputy party leader, made him a target.

"When their concerted effort, lobbying and coercion to set me against my Deputy Party Leader failed, I was effectively profiled and labelled an obstacle towards their evil plot and conspiracy to have Rigathi Gachagua impeached," he added.

The UDA National Executive Council (NEC) decided on Friday, August 2, to remove Malala and appoint Vice Chairperson Hassan Omar as the acting Secretary General.

"The National Executive Committee has determined to designate the Vice-Chairperson, 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," the NEC said.

Sources told The Standard that the decision was made at 7 a.m., just hours before the Dispute Tribunal's order.

Malala had attempted to stop the NEC meeting by going to court on Thursday, arguing that Mbarire lacked the authority to convene it.

However, the Political Parties Dispute Tribunal (PPDT) issued orders barring the meeting only after it had occurred.

Malala's ouster followed a clash between his supporters and those of self-declared Secretary General Joe Khalende at the party headquarters on Tuesday.

Khalende was injured in the altercation, prompting the NEC meeting to address the situation