Cleophas Malala has caused a stir in political circles by accusing leaders of removing him from his position as secretary-general of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) to pave the way for the impeachment of Vice-President Ligaty Gachagua.
His removal, carried out during a national executive committee meeting on August 2, has become the focus of what Malala has described as a orchestrated coup within the party.
At a press conference on August 15, Malala, a former Kakamega senator, slammed Kikuyu lawmaker Kimani Ichungwa and Embu state governor Cecily Mbarire, who she claims played key roles in her downfall.
He claims his removal was part of a wider plot to target his ally, Gachagua, who is also deputy leader of the UDA.
Malala did not mince words, calling the vice president’s removal from office a “coup” aimed at destabilizing her position.
“My removal from office had nothing to do with my incompetence or lack of ability to run the UDA party, but was a well-scripted plot culminating in the impeachment of Vice President Ligaty Gachagua,” Malala claimed.
Embu State Governor Cecily Mbarire met with officials of the National Cereals and Pesticides Board (NCPB) on 30th August 2023.
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Cecily Mbarire
The row came after weeks of bitter debate within the UDA, culminating in the decision by the party’s national chair, Cecil Mbarire, to sack Malala. The party’s statement was blunt: “The appointment of Cleophas Malala as interim secretary-general is revoked. These changes are with immediate effect.”
UDA vice-chairman Hassan Omar was named acting secretary-general, a move Malala sees as further evidence of a conspiracy, claiming that Omar was illegally nominated as his successor, further strengthening a conspiracy to undermine Gachagua.
“The coup was planned and orchestrated by two senior party officials and others in the party secretariat – Cecily Mbarire and Kimani Ichungwa, the Members of Parliament for Kikuyu constituency,” Malala asserted, directly blaming the two politicians.
Malala believes his close relationship with Gachagua made him a target. “My close and inevitable working relationship with the Vice President who is also the UDA Deputy Leader irritated them. When their concerted efforts, lobbying and pressure to pit me against the Vice Leader failed, I was effectively profiled and seen as an obstacle in their evil plans and conspiracies to impeach Ligaty Gachagua,” he charged.
The allegations have cast a long shadow over the UDA as it emerged that Gachagua himself was caught off guard by the move. Malala said the Vice President was not consulted about the decision, sparking speculation about the true motives behind the power struggle. Gachagua reportedly expressed concern that the ongoing infighting within the party could paint the UDA in a negative light and destabilise its position.
Malala has denied allegations that the impeachment plot involves President William Ruto or the government as a whole.
Instead, he argues, the motive is rooted in selfish political ambitions, particularly by factions in the Mt Kenya region, linked to elections in 2027 and 2032. “The two want the vice president gone so they can strategically position themselves in the new political realignment,” he argued.
Despite the turmoil, Malala opted to tread cautiously, initially considering taking legal action to protest her firing, but instead opted to seek justice through the party’s Internal Dispute Resolution Committee (IDRC).
Ichungwa and Mbarire have not responded to Malala’s allegations. They have called for unity and urged UDA members not to engage in premature politics.
Parliamentary Majority Leader Kimani Ichungwa (right) receives President William Ruto at JKIA on May 17, 2024.
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Kimani Ichungwa
