In a phone interview with the Star on Thursday, UDA National Treasurer Japheth Nyakundi confirmed recent concerns about delayed payment of staff salaries. He acknowledged that staff members have experienced delays in receiving their salaries for several months but assured that steps have been taken to promptly resolve the matter.
“Yes, there has indeed been a small issue with delayed salaries for the past few months, but I want to assure our staff and the public that this issue has been handled. Moving forward, salaries will be paid on time,” he said.
Nyakundi emphasized that the situation has been addressed amicably and staff will now be paid on time.
He likened political parties to institutions that follow law and order, noting that the UDA party remains stable despite rumours to the contrary.
“UDA party is stable and united, and grassroots elections are going on very well as planned,” he added.
“There have been no internal wrangles within the party as reported.”
Nyakundi also defended the party’s Secretary-General, Cleophas Malala, asserting that Malala has the right to express his opinions. Antonella Kakuko, the director of digital communications, denied earlier reports that the party’s social media pages, like Facebook, had been hacked.
“Our Facebook page wasn’t hacked, and it is not under any threat. The only issue was that some editors and admins were denied access to the page,” she clarified. Malala’s recent decision to issue warnings to prominent UDA leaders and Cabinet Secretaries regarding politicking drew criticism.
Leaders like Governor Mutahi Kahiga, MPs Oscar Sudi, and Gathoni Wamuchomba fired back at him, suggesting he should follow through on his threat of instituting any disciplinary action against them.
Political analyst Albert Kasembeli told the Star that the internal conflicts and leadership wrangles facing UDA pose a clear risk of the party losing its grip on national politics.
“The current scenario within UDA demonstrates how internal strife can undermine party unity and effectiveness, leading to a loss of public trust and support,” he said.
Kasembeli stressed that to avoid disintegration, the UDA party needs to address these internal issues promptly and transparently.
“This kind of internal strife and the resulting low morale among staff are reminiscent of the disarray that plagued other big parties. When internal power struggles overshadow party objectives and governance, it inevitably leads to dysfunction and loss of public confidence,” he said.
