Under-sieged UDA Leaders Hold Emergency Meeting To Address Division
The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party called an emergency meeting on Wednesday to address the party hierarchy’s current divisions.
During the meeting, the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC), chaired by Cecily Mbarire, discussed the next steps following the Wednesday morning clashes at the party’s headquarters in Nairobi.
While addressing the press outside Hustler’s Plaza, Mbarire condemned the attack on self-proclaimed party Secretary General Joe Khalende.
Mbarire claimed Khalende’s attack was planned by political goons who were mobilised and transported to storm and cause havoc at the party headquarters.
"Joe Khalende is not our Secretary General," UDA Party Chairperson Cecily Mbarire announces pic.twitter.com/aNzyI4EZTs
— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) July 31, 2024
According to the party’s Chairperson, Khalende was allegedly attacked and critically injured during clashes between rival sects.
Cecily Mbarire condemned the attackers and described the incident as a serious violation of the party’s constitution and principles.
“UDA Party has properly constituted organs and one cannot come and claim himself or herself as a holder of any position without following the due process,” Mbarire stated.
“We therefore want to condemn that act on Tuesday with the strongest words possible,” she added.
The Embu Governor went on to say that they had decided to convene the full organ meeting on Friday to discuss the incidents, which she described as unfortunate.
“We are a party who have structures of how conflicts are to be resolved and we cannot allow goons to be used to settle disputes,” the vocal governor noted.
“We are likewise taking this very seriously and on Friday after our emergency meeting we will announce the actions to be taken.”
The incident occurred just a day after Joe Khalende allegedly declared himself the party’s new secretary-general and announced Malala’s dismissal.
Khalende chastised Cleophas Malala for defying the party’s rules and opposing President William Ruto’s inclusive government.
“I Joe Khalende, will be taking over as the Secretary General of the UDA party. UDA party is going back to its members. Cleophas Malala has joined the opponent,” Khalende alleged.
“Malala has gone against our party leader. He has been at the forefront of frustrating the party’s grassroots elections. He has been a man on the run.”
Under-sieged UDA Leaders Hold Emergency Meeting To Address Division
