His ouster, which occurred during a National Executive Council meeting on August 2 in the wee hours of the morning, is the main focus of what Malala believes is a coup brewing within the ruling party.
Cleophas Malala on Thursday, August 15 rocked the political boat regarding his ouster as United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party Secretary General, citing two top party officials responsible for his removal to pave the way for the impeachment of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
His ouster, which occurred during a National Executive Council meeting on August 2 in the wee hours of the morning, is the main focus of what Malala believes is a coup brewing within the ruling party.
During a press conference, Malala, the former Kakamega Senator, cited National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah and Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire as masterminds of the plot to oust him from his seat.
He argues that his removal is part of a broader scheme targeting Gachagua, an ally and the UDA’s Deputy Party Leader, a move that threatens to destroy among others the reputation both Gachagua and President William Ruto have amassed as far as the party is concerned.
Cleophas Malala with President William Ruto during a past campaign rally. /FILE
“This coup was plotted and orchestrated by two senior party officials alongside others within the party secretariat. These senior officials are Cecily Mbarire and Kimani Ichung’wah, MP for Kikuyu constituency,” he stated, without fear or favour.
“These two want our Deputy President out so that they can strategically position themselves within the emerging political realignments. This backward politics must be called out because if left to fester, it threatens the stability and popularity of the UDA party which its leader, William Ruto and his deputy Rigathi worked tirelessly to rebuild.”
Malala, not hiding anything from anyone, described the ‘coup’ as an elaborate plot to impeach Gachagua and had nothing to do with his incapability for the SG role.
“My ouster by the above officials had nothing to do with incompetence or my inability to run the UDA party but was a well-choreographed script intended to climax with the impeachment of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua,” he went on.
Malala read malice in the naming of EALA MP Hassan Omar, UDA’s Vice Chairperson, as the acting Secretary General, alleging Omar was unlawfully proposed as his replacement, further entrenching the conspiracy to undermine Gachagua, and only him.
“It is not a coincidence therefore that one of the coup plotters’ accomplices Mr Hassan Omar was unlawfully proposed as my immediate replacement. Let be known that the planned impeachment of the Deputy President has nothing to do with President William Ruto,” Malala added.
Additionally, he said he would move to the UDA Party’s Internal Disputes Resolution Committee to seek justice on his removal as Secretary General.
Malala was removed from the UDA SG position during an NEC meeting that was convened by UDA chairperson Mbarire. In a no-holds-barred statement, the party announced that “The National Executive Committee has determined to designate the Vice-Chairperson, Hon. Hassan Omar Hassan to act as the Secretary-General on an interim basis. The appointment of Hon. Cleophas Malala as the interim Secretary General is hereby revoked. These changes are effective immediately.”
Malala believes “My close and inevitable working relationship with the Deputy President, who is also the UDA Deputy Party Leader, irked them. 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.”
The allegations have cast a long shadow over UDA, as it emerged that Gachagua himself was blindsided by the move. The Deputy President, according to Malala, was not consulted about the decision, leading to speculation about the true motives behind the power play.
Gachagua has also reportedly expressed concerns that the ongoing wrangles within the party paint it negatively, potentially destabilising its standing.
Ichung’wah and Mbarire have not issued any response to Malala’s claims. They have been calling for unity and for UDA members to stay away from early politics.
President Ruto on the same day called on the UDA members to focus on uniting Kenyans, appealing “There is no need for petty competition. Even in our UDA party, Kenya Kwanza, I want to advise you to stop fighting and to stop competing within the party. Let us ensure that we unite all Kenyans to take the country forward.”
