Cleophas Malala, the former Secretary General of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), has come forward with serious allegations following his ouster from the party's leadership. He claims that his removal was part of a larger scheme aimed at impeaching Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
Internal Party Struggles
Malala, who addressed the media on August 15, 2024, pointed fingers at senior party officials, including Embu Governor and UDA Chairperson Cecily Mbarire, and Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung’wa. He accused them of orchestrating an "internal coup" to weaken the Deputy President's influence within the party. According to Malala, his close working relationship with Gachagua made him a target in a plot driven by Mt. Kenya leaders' ambitions for the 2027 and 2032 elections.
Violations of Party Protocol
Malala expressed that his removal was conducted without following the party's constitution, claiming that he was not given any charges or the opportunity to defend himself. This, he argued, was a clear violation of the rules of natural justice. In response, Malala has filed a petition with the party's Internal Disputes Resolution Committee (IDRC) to contest the decision and has stated his intention to run for the Secretary General position in the upcoming party elections.
Allegations of Fraud
In his statement, Malala also leveled accusations of fraud against Mbarire and Ichung’wa, alleging that they forged minutes of non-existent party meetings and signatures to access the party’s bank accounts. He promised to reveal more evidence and further allegations in due course.
Potential Impact on UDA
Malala's revelations have the potential to destabilize UDA, the ruling party, as internal conflicts come to light. The focus now shifts to how the party will handle these challenges and whether Deputy President Gachagua can navigate the purported plot against him
