Silverio Omari
President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) has convened an urgent National Executive Council (NEC) meeting to address escalating internal conflicts that threaten to divide the ruling party.
The meeting was called after a disturbance on Wednesday morning, when supporters of Secretary General Cleophas Malala stormed the party offices. This occurred just a day after a group of founding members declared Malala’s removal and announced Joe Khalende as the new Secretary General.
Party chairperson Cecily Mbarire stated that the NEC meeting will thoroughly address the situation and determine the appropriate actions in response to the incident. “We will not tolerate this disruption. We will decide on the necessary measures following the NEC meeting on Friday,” she affirmed.
As the party leader, Ruto will preside over the meeting. Mbarire emphasized the party’s commitment to lawful procedures and condemned the actions of those she referred to as political agitators. “We are committed to the rule of law and have established methods for resolving our conflicts. We do not condone today’s events,” she asserted.
Mbarire also criticized Khalende’s actions, asserting that the party operates under a constitution and that individuals cannot assume official roles without adhering to established procedures. She expressed sympathy for Khalende, who was injured during the altercation. A video obtained by the Star showed Khalende with a bandaged head and blood-stained shirt, while his supporters urged him to seek medical treatment before speaking.
Khalende claimed that there were individuals plotting against him and alleged that Malala had undermined the party’s objectives by opposing President Ruto’s broad-based government. He argued that Malala had not been fulfilling his duties as Secretary General, which justified his replacement.
“He is opposed to the formation of a broad-based government, and I, Joe Khalende, am now the Secretary General of the UDA party. Moving forward, the UDA will return to its foundational principles as a people-centered party,” Khalende declared.
