Former UDA Secreatry-General (SG) Veronica Mainai (left), newly nominated party SG Cleophas Malala (centre) and Vice Chairperson Hassan Omar (right) during a press conference at party headquarters in Nairobi on Monday, February 27, 2023. [Edward Kiplimo, Standard]

United Democratic Alliance (UDA) has picked former Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala as new party Secretary General.

Malala replaces Veronica Maina who was nominated for the Senate.

In his new role, Malala will act as the UDA's spokesperson and manager, reporting to various party organs.

He will call meetings, supervise policies and programs, write and present reports, and keep track of the party's activities among other roles.

At the same time, Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire was picked as the new party chairperson, replacing Johnson Muthama who resigned from the position to take up a role of a non-MP member of the commission at the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC).

The East African Legislative Assembly MP Hassan Omar was picked as the Party Vice-Chairperson, replacing Kipruto Kirwa. Japheth Nyakundi, MP for Kitutu Chache North replaced Omingo Magara as the party's Treasurer.

Mwala MP Vincent Musyoka was picked as the new party Organising Secretary, replacing Karisa Nzai.

The new officials will serve on the interim basis ahead of national elections.

The new changes were made during the party's National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held in Nairobi on Monday, February, 27, 2023.

The new officials will serve in an interim capacity as the party commences a month-long membership registration drive on Wednesday to April 30, 2023 ahead of its grassroots and party leadership elections.