Wamuzi News Ke
Former United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Secretary‑General Cleophas Malala has stepped forward with explosive allegations, claiming his removal months ago was no mere internal shuffle but a calculated move tied to his opposition to a plot targeting Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
Speaking in a medium-broadcast interview, Malala said his fallout with President William Ruto began when he stood against the impeachment strategy, warning it threatened the stability of their government and the ruling party. Ruto, he alleges, dismissed his concerns and branded him a saboteur before orchestrating his ouster on August 2, 2024.
Malala also named UDA national chair and Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire and Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wa as key figures in his removal and alleged impeachment scheme. He maintains the push for two deputy party leaders was meant to sideline Gachagua and smooth internal power plays.
The fallout did more than end his tenure—it awakened Malala’s appetite for accountability. He has since accused UDA of evading taxes—ranging from PAYE to SHIF and NSSF—alleging monthly under-remittances of Ksh 6–7 million since August 2022, and the hiring of ghost workers and smuggling campaign equipment without customs clearance.
Malala plans to take these claims to the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal, backing them with documents he says include KRA and customs records.
In response, UDA’s interim Secretary‑General Hassan Omar dismissed Malala as chaotic and ineffective, calling his claims self-serving and insisting the NEC collectively decided his removal.
Deputy President Gachagua later confirmed he was never consulted on Malala’s ouster—a move made in the early hours of the morning—adding further strain to internal party narratives.
Analysts say Malala’s accusations expose deeper tensions within Kenya Kwanza, suggesting the impeachment push masked elite jockeying ahead of the 2027 election cycle. His counterattacks—especially the tax evasion revelations—could complicate UDA’s image and rally public scrutiny ahead of campaign season.
With docketed evidence and plans for tribunal proceedings, Malala’s challenge now hangs in judicial balance. The allegations lay bare a new front in Kenya’s political drama: legal accountability versus political loyalty. As parties regroup, this could mark a watershed for internal party democracy—or yet another battle in the calculus of power.
