The High Court has ruled on the removal of former Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala as the Secretary of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party.
In a ruling on April 28, the Court upheld Malala’s removal and upheld the appointment of Hassan Omar as his replacement.
Justice Bahati Mwamuye quashed orders that had been issued by the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal (PPDT), stopping the Registrar of Political Parties Anne Nderitu, from replacing Omar Malala.
In September 2024, the Tribunal blocked the Registrar of Political Parties from implementing changes UDA pending hearing of a case filed by Malala.
“An order is hereby issued quashing the directions and orders made on September 27, 2024, by the Political Parties Dispute Tribunal and quashing any subsequent orders emanating from and or in furtherance of those proceedings,” Mwamuye ruled.
Justice Mwamuye said the Gazette notice effecting Malala’s removal remains valid and binding.
Additionally, the Court nullified the entire proceedings before the PPDT, meaning that Malala cannot challenge his removal through that avenue.
PPDT panel which heard the matter consisted of Desma Nungo, Stephen Musau, Muzna Jin and Abdirahman Adan Abdikadir.
The court decision cements Omar’s appointment as the official UDA Secretary General, further strengthening the recent leadership transitions in UDA.
“The first respondent’s appeal before the PPDT is hereby terminated and shall not proceed before the tribunal. Any orders previously issued in favour of the respondent are hereby vacated,” ruled the court.
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UDA Appoints Omar as Secretary General
Malala was ousted on August 2, 2024, after a resolution of a National Executive Council (NEC) meeting presided over by the party’s national chairperson, Cecile Mbarire.
“The appointment of Cleophas Malala as the interim secretary general is hereby revoked. These changes are effective immediately,” the party said in a statement.
The ruling party named Omar, who was its vice chairperson, as the interim secretary general.
UDA NEC explained that Omar’s appointment followed wide and consultative deliberations, and in line with its mandate under Article 8.2 of the party constitution.
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Malala Reveals Why UDA Pushed Him Out
In an interview on April 24, Malala claimed that his fallout with President William Ruto began after he refused to sign the impeachment motion against former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
Malala added that he had also advised the President against appointing two deputy party leaders, warning that impeaching Gachagua would destabilize the Kenya Kwanza government.
He stated that Ruto ignored his advice and saw him as a political enemy.
“I advised the President, as Secretary General, that impeaching Rigathi would sink our ship and destabilise the government. He dismissed me as an enemy. I was then asked to sign the impeachment,” he claimed.
“They even proposed having two deputy party leaders to replace him seamlessly. I warned it would destabilise the party, but they were adamant. In the end, Malala had to go,” he added.
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