UDA to reopen offices in Kisumu and Siaya destroyed during Azimio protests

UDA Secretary-General Cleophas Malala. [Wilberforce Okwiri, Standard]

Secretary General of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Cleophas Malala has in a statement announced plans to restore UDA offices in Kisumu and Siaya that were vandalised during Azimio protests.

This comes after President William Ruto and Azimio One-Kenya leader, Raila Odinga agreed to hold a dialogue.
"In the spirit of appreciating dialogue efforts as called for by my President, William Ruto and Raila Odinga, we shall be going to Siaya and Kisumu City to repaint the vandalised UDA offices and officially re-open them," Malala said.

The UDA office in Kisumu was vandalised on March 20, while the Siaya office was torched on March 30.

The UDA offices were set on fire by rowdy youths during the Azimio protests.

After the Azimio protests on March Thursday 30, Malala condemned the burning of the UDA offices in Nyanza and asked authorities to arrest those responsible for destroying the party offices.

"We call upon the law enforcement agencies to swing into action and apprehend the perpetrators, convenors and financers of these acts. Those who are responsible for burning the party offices should be arrested."

Malala said all Kenyans should know that picketing and demonstrations that are allowed in the constitution do not imply destroying other people's property.

"The police restrained themselves from using force against members of the public because we do not want to create chaos. Let all Kenyans know that picketing and demonstrations that are allowed in the constitution does not mean destroying other people's property." Malala said.

The UDA party had acquired the office premises after President William Ruto won the August 9 presidential poll in 2022.

On Sunday, April 2, President Ruto gave into one of the demands by the opposition, allowing a bipartisan approach in the recruitment of IEBC Commissioners.

The Opposition in turn called off the protests for a week as the two leaders talk.