Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale on Monday, October 9, filed a petition to remove Cleophas Malala as the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Secretary General.
Senator Khalwale accused Malala of being involved in what he termed unlawful appointment of the regional and county managers.
He argued that the appointments of the said Regional and County Manager were not competitive.
‘The appointments were done non-competitively and without the knowledge of other party members who would probably have been more qualified than the appointees,” part of the petition read.
Khalwale further accused Malala of favoring the managers without considering the interests of the other members of the party.
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In addition, the Kakamega Senator accused Malala of overstepping his mandate and electing his friends, thereby compromising the National Elections board which is independent structure within the party.
“By overstepping his mandate and usurping the mandate of the National Elections Board, it is quite clear that the Respondent is bent on compromising the process by appointing his cronies and friends as election management officials,” the petition reads in part.
According to the Kakamega Senator, the appointments were done based on the good rapport that Malala had with the said appointees rather than on merit.
“Some of the appointees such as the ones for the Western Region, Nairobi and Vihiga were based on the previous relationship between the Respondent and the appointees,” part of the petition read.
Khalwale said that by being a contestant in the UDA party grassroot elections scheduled for December, Malala is biased in his appointments.
“The Respondent is a contestant in the forthcoming grassroots elections and is therefore in a conflict of interest by his appointment of the said managers,” He argued.
Khalwale’s Demands
Khalwale called on UDA Disputes Resolution Committee to deem the appointment of the Regional and County Managers null and void as it violates the Party’s constitution.
“Do issue that the appointment of the Regional and County Managers was unconstitutional, unlawful, and therefore null and void,” the statement read.
Also, he wants the National Elections Board to be the only organ mandated to make announcements related to the preparations for the forthcoming grassroots elections.
Further Khalwale wants an order issued restraining all persons who held executive offices from discharging any duties related to the party apart from essential ones such as financial facilitation.
Similarly, the senator wants Malala to pay for the costs of the petition.
Nonetheless, Khalwale’s petition comes in the wake of numerous complaints by other UDA Party leaders about the secretary general.
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On October 9, during a press conference at the Parliament Buildings Didmus Barasa accused Malala of being unfit for the job of Secretary General.
He claimed that the former Senator has failed to equal Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Party’s Edwin Sifuna.
Furthermore, Barasa stated that Malala chose to attack Kenya Kwanza’s connected parties and values rather than articulate the UDA’s goal.
“His words went uncontested. “He is unable to engage Sifuna, who is his equal,” said Barasa.
