Hassan Omar, the acting Secretary General of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), was welcomed with cheers and dancing at the Party Headquarters. Supporters waved tree branches and chanted slogans in support of their interim SG, shouting, “SG, SG… Igwee igwee.”
Earlier on Friday, there was a significant police presence following the revocation of Cleophas Malala’s appointment. The UDA party’s National Executive Committee had replaced Malala with Omar as Secretary General.
“Upon wide and consultative deliberations, and in compliance and in accordance with its mandate under Article 8.2 of the Party Constitution, the National Executive Committee has determined to designate the Vice-Chairperson, Hon. Hassan Omar Hassan to act as the Secretary General on an interim basis,” a statement read in part.
The NEC meeting was led by the party’s chairperson and Embu Governor, Cecily Mbarire. Cleophas Malala had been serving as the acting UDA Secretary General since February 2023, following his appointment to replace Veronica Maina, who was nominated to the Senate.
Recently, the party has faced internal conflicts over this position, with some members calling for Malala’s removal. On Tuesday, lawyer Joe Khalende arrived at the UDA party headquarters, asserting that he had taken over as SG. Khalende also claimed that Malala had not been adequately fulfilling his responsibilities as Secretary General, justifying the need for his replacement.
“He is against the formation of a broad-based government and I’m here to confirm that he is no longer the secretary general of the UDA party. I Joe Khalende will be taking over as the Secretary General of the UDA party,” he said.
“Going forward, the UDA party is going back to its members. It was formed as a people-centred party, not on individuals within the party.”
Chairperson Mbarire, however, dismissed Khalende’s claims saying that UDA is a party that has structures guiding its operations.
