Cleophas Malala Snubs Ruto’s State House Meeting Amidst Ouster Rumors
The absence of acting UDA party Secretary General Cleophas Malala from the Kenya Kwanza parliamentary group meeting at State House in Nairobi on Tuesday has sparked speculation about his whereabouts.
It has also exposed internal squabbles within the ruling party, even as some members seek to remove him from his influential position.
President William Ruto called the meeting to discuss the contentious Finance Bill, 2024, before the report was tabled in parliament.
It was attended by elected Senators and MPs from all Kenya Kwanza affiliated parties.
Malala was one of the top party officials scheduled to attend the high-profile meeting.
AfricasNow has reliably established that Malala, along with other senior party officials, were invited to represent the party at the meeting but declined for unknown reasons.
As the ruling party’s secretary-general, he was expected to play a critical role in shaping the party’s stance on key national issues discussed during the session.
“He had been invited, in fact, other party officials were present,” said a source who did not want to be named.
A special seat labeled “Secretary General” had been reserved for him, right next to Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Kakamega Senator Bony Khalwale.
Attempts to reach him for comment were unsuccessful.
He did not answer our calls or respond to text messages.
The UDA leadership had yet to issue an official statement regarding his absence from the function.
While initial reports indicate potential scheduling conflicts, further investigation has revealed growing tensions among UDA leadership, possibly due to internal disagreements.
His absence comes at a critical time for the party, as it prepares to hold elections for new officials.
Malala has recently faced criticism over how he manages the party’s affairs.
A week ago, a member petitioned the party leadership for his expulsion due to alleged gross misconduct and violations of the constitution and party constitution.
In a letter to party chairperson Cecily Mbarire, Joseph Khalende, chairperson of the founding members’ association, outlined seven reasons for the ouster.
According to the petitioner, Malala has also defied party leadership by interfering with the ongoing grassroots elections spearheaded division and creating factions in the party.
“In the immediate and foremost interest to safeguard our Party, we hereby petition the National Executive Committee to immediately suspend and expel Cleophas Malala,” it reads.
When contacted, Malala dismissed the petition and declined to comment.
“There are so many fights and I cannot respond to all of them,” Malala said.
This followed claims that he was removed as one of the party’s bank signatories.
The bank listed Malala, Mbarire, and National Treasurer Japheth Nyakundi as signatories on all accounts.
Antony Mwaura and Nicodemus Bore are the other signatories.
Cleophas Malala Snubs Ruto’s State House Meeting Amidst Ouster Rumors
