UDA convenes NEC meeting after SG Malala ouster drama

A group calling themselves 'founding members of UDA' stormed the ruling party's headquarters in Nairobi on Tuesday, accusing Malala of sabotage and being a mule for the UDA’s opponents

The group’s leader Joe Khalende announced himself as the new acting SG and said Malala had been barred from carrying out any UDA function.

UDA’s chairperson Cecily Mbarire told a press conference that on Wednesday morning, a group of “political goons” showed up at the party headquarters and beat up Khalende. The group protested outside the premises and appeared to be Malala's supporters.

“He has been badly hurt,” she said while condemning the “mobilised mayhem” witnessed at the offices, which took the deployment of police officers to quell.

But Mbarire also condemned Khalende’s actions, stating that “UDA has a constitution. Somebody cannot come to the party and declare themselves an official of the party without following the laid down party procedures.”

She said Friday’s NEC meeting would address the matter and announce the actions the party will take in response.

“The party will be back on its feet and we will not allow this to continue. We will take necessary action on Friday after the NEC meeting,” Mbarire told journalists.

Khalende’s group on Tuesday accused Malala of sabotaging UDA's progress and the broad-based government initiative recently announced by party leader President William Ruto and endorsed by opposition leader Raila Odinga in the wake of nationwide anti-government protests.

They claimed all UDA organs were aware of Malala’s removal and that it had been ongoing “over the last few months”.