Malala responds to UDA resignation claims

By Peter Ochieng

Embattled United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Secretary General (SG) Cleophas Malala has responded to a letter circulating online to the effect that he had resigned from his position.

A letter widely shared online on Tuesday evening claimed that the former Kakamega Senator had taken a bow, from his position as UDA Secretary General.

In response, Malala said the resignation letter purportedly bearing his signature bears all the hallmarks of propaganda.

"Ignore propaganda. The party is stable and focussed on helping President @WilliamsRuto achieve his agenda for Kenya," said the SG.

The letter was shared online after some UDA party members came out to push for the removal of Cleophas Malala as the SG.

The group led by lawyer Joe Khalende call themselves 'founding members of UDA.'

They have accused Malala of sabotaging the party's progress from within, and the broad-based government formed by party leader President William Ruto and his ODM counterpart Raila Odinga.

Malala has been accused of supporting the Tawe movement, being spearheaded by Trans Nzoia governor George Natembeya.

“Malala has abdicated his role and duty as the SG of the ruling party. The critical role of the SG of the UDA party is the spokesperson of the party; he communicates and initiates meetings on behalf of the party. Clearly, Malala has joined our opponents. He is supporting the Tawe movement and agendas which contradict the ruling party,” Khalende said.

“He has gone against our party leader…he is on the forefront against the formation of a broad-based government and I am here to confirm that he is no longer the SG of the UDA party. I Joe Khalende will be taking over as the SG of the UDA party," he declared.

The lawyer declared that once he fully takes over, UDA grassroots elections will go on an planned.

“Going forward, the grassroots elections will go on as planned, recruitment and rebranding will continue, and this is the best opportunity for us UDA members to extend an olive branch to our brothers In ODM and welcome them in government so that we build serikali pamoja and lift the lives of Kenyans in this broad-based government led by Ruto and Raila."

They vowed to fully support the broad-based government.