Chaos broke out at the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) headquarters when backers of party secretary general Cleophas Malala forcefully gained access to the premises on Wednesday, July 31.
The crowd waved placards and fervently chanted slogans in support of Malala before they attempted to breach the headquarters, only to be thwarted by vigilant police officers who had secured the area.
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Malala is facing increasing pressure to step down after an attempt to oust him led by Lawyer Joe Khalende and a faction dubbed ‘founding members of UDA.’
Khalende believes that Malala has not fulfilled his duties as the Secretary-General, especially in overseeing party procedures and organizing local elections, which have been affected by disorder and legal conflicts.
He maintains that Malala has aligned himself with opposing movements, contrary to the party’s objectives and wants to replace Malala as the Secretary-General.
Amidst the ensuing violence, self-declared Secretary General Joe Khalende exited the headquarters, visibly injured and nursing a bleeding head with bloodstains on his shirt.
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Khalende had earlier proclaimed himself the new acting Secretary General, asserting that Malala had been prohibited from performing any duties associated with the ruling party.
Khalende publicly accused Malala of undermining the party’s progress and sabotaging the Broad-Based Government initiative led by President William Ruto and ODM leader Raila Odinga.
He claims that Malala’s actions are aiding UDA’s rivals and disrupting the party’s development.
“He has betrayed our party leader and is actively opposing the formation of a broad-based government. I am here to announce that Cleophas Malala is no longer the Secretary-General of the UDA party. I, Joe Khalende, will be assuming the role of Secretary-General,” Khalende fervently declared.
