UDA founders applaud removal of Cleophas Malala as Secretary General, call for audit

In a statement issued on Friday, the Chairperson of the UDA Founding Members Association (UDFMA), Joe Khalende, described Malala's removal as a "judicious decision."

"The UDA Founding Members Association (UFMA) lauds the judicious decision by the governing and policymaking organ of the party, the National Executive Committee, to remove the disgraceful former Secretary General, Cleophas Malala, from the party. We wish him well in his next step," said Lawyer Khalende.

The association praised the party's decision to appoint Hassan Omar as the interim Secretary General and called for an audit of the procurement processes conducted under Malala's leadership.

The group also called for the resumption of grassroots elections, which had stalled in key regions, including Nairobi, due to chaos.

"Hassan Omar is assured of our unequivocal support to assist Party Leader President William Ruto in articulating his agenda of recalibrating the economy, uniting Kenya, and delivering on his election pledges. With the new leadership at the helm of the party, we expect a meticulous resumption of the stalled grassroots elections that will culminate in the election of substantive office bearers at all hierarchical levels," said Khalende.

"Equally, we demand a thorough audit of the staff and procurement processes conducted in the party over the last two years under the calamitous reign of Malala."

Earlier this week, chaos erupted at the UDA Party headquarters in the aftermath of what was termed as an attempted coup to oust Malala.

UDA Founding Members Association Chairperson Joe Khalende, who had declared himself Secretary General, was attacked and injured by goons during the incident.

"Consequently, we demand swift and stern action against all party officials who participated in orchestrating security breaches at the party, perpetrators of violence, saboteurs of the party's agenda, and mismanagement of the party's resources," added the statement issued on Friday.