The ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) has fired back at its immediate former Secretary General Cleophas Malala over claims that his outer was orchestrated by the party chairperson Cecily Mbarire and National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah.

In a statement issued on Friday, August 16, 2024, that was signed by the UDA interim Secretary General Hassan Omar, the President William Ruto-led party warned Malala against imputing improper motives on influential politicians in the party following his removal.

Omar in the statement accused Malala of seeking sympathy and playing political theatrics by linking the Embu Governor and Ichung’wah in unfounded impeachment claims against Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

“We wish to caution Malala against roping the Party and particularly its Chairperson and the Majority Leader in the political shenanigans of an unfounded claim of Deputy President’s impeachment and seek his sympathies through any other means,” Omar stated.

UDA argues that Malala was legally and procedurally removed from office.

“The rant and rave by former UDA Party’s Secretary General Cleophas Malala over his ouster from office is not worth of a response from the Party, and is indeed undeserving of much attention, except that we find it appropriate to correct some misconceptions contained in his statement.

On Thursday, August 15, 2024, Malala addressed a press conference in which he accused senior party officials of orchestrating a plan to impeaching DP Gachagua by alleging Ichung’wah and Mbarire executed his removal.

“For the avoidance of doubt, Malala was legally and procedurally removed from office as the Secretary General of UDA, and the same acknowledged and ratified by the Registrar of Political Parties. The office subsequently effected the changes as required of it by law,” the statement reads in part.

According to UDA, its National Executive Committee (NEC), an organ that had appointed Malala, is the one that unanimously agreed to oust him, stating that his reign was characterized by a failed leadership in all aspects.

“Malala’s ouster was a collective decision by the Party’s National Executive Committee (NEC), the same organ that had appointed him to hold the position in an “acting” capacity. Suffice it to say, the organ that appointed him is the very one that unanimously decided to replace him.

“Malala’s colourless stint as Secretary General was characterized by melodrama, toxicity, missteps, discord, ruin; a failed leadership in all aspects. The Party therefore does not wish to be drawn into endless shenanigans recognizing its status as the Party of the President, the nation’s ruling Party,” the UDA statement reads.

He was ousted as UDA Secretary General following weeks of intense wrangles in the party.

Malala was kicked out of the position during a National Executive Council meeting presided over by the party’s National Chairperson Cecil Mbarire.

Omar was then appointed to replace him on interim basis.