Malala ordered to pay UDA, Mbarire Sh305,000 in legal costs

Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) Deputy Party Leader Cleophas Malala during an interview on Spice FM on July 15, 2025. [Spice FM]

DCP Deputy Party Leader Cleophas Malala has been ordered to pay Sh305,000 in legal costs after losing a court battle challenging his removal from the United Democratic Alliance (UDA).

High Court Deputy Registrar Lydia Mbacho, sitting at the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal, directed Malala to pay Sh155,660 to UDA and Sh150,000 to its chairperson, Cecily Mbarire.

The case was filed in August 2024.

“The High Court of Kenya at Political Parties disputes tribunal, do hereby certify that the 2nd respondent's party and party bill of costs dated August 28, 2024 and lodged by Adrian Kamotho Njenga and Company Advocates, was taxed on July 10, 2025 and allowed in favour of the 2nd respondent as against the complainant in the sum of Sh150,000 only,” Mbacho ruled.

Malala had sued UDA and Mbarire, claiming his ouster was politically motivated.

He argued that his removal and replacement by Hassan Omar, who took over in an acting capacity, was unfair and a response to his criticism of the Party’s top leadership and its handling of campaign promises.

In January 2025, Justice Bahati Mwamuye dismissed the petition, upholding the party’s decision and affirming Omar’s appointment as valid.

The court ruled that Malala was no longer the Secretary-General.