Lawyer Nelson Havi has advised embattled United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party secretary general Cleophas Malala to step down amid chaos that rocked the ruling party on Wednesday, July 31, 2024.

In a statement on Wednesday, July 31, 2024, Havi appealed to the UDA secretary general to take an exit from the party affairs, adding that it would be better for him.

“Cleophas Malala, let it go. It will be less painful for you,” Havi said.

Wednesday, a self-declared UDA secretary general Joe Khalende was injured after supporters of Malala and his clashed at the party headquarters along Ngong Road.

This came after Khalende stormed the party headquarters and accused Malala of going against the ruling party’s code of conduct.

“Malala has abdicated his role and duty as the SG of the ruling party. The critical role of the SG of the UDA party is the spokesperson of the party; he communicates and initiates meetings on behalf of the party. Clearly, Malala has joined our opponents. He is supporting the TAWE movement and agendas which contradict the ruling party,” Khalende said.

However, UDA party chairperson Cecily Mbarire has come out to defend the embattled secretary genarl in the wake of intense pressure to have him resign.

Malala not new to controversy

But the UDA secretary general is not new to controversy. In June 2023, the deputy speaker in the national assembly Gladys Shollei accused the UDA Secretary General of causing rifts within the party.

This came after he visited State House with a handful of Luhya community leaders without the blessings of Musalia Mudavadi, Moses Wetang’ula and Boni Khalwale.

The meeting turned controversial, leading to sustained pressure on him and his tenure at the top leadership of the ruling party.

“I am disappointed with the performance of Malala, he has been going on the UDA membership drives and many of them have ended in violence. As UDA members, we should begin to ask ourselves if he is trying to destroy our party,” Shollei noted then.

Former UDA chaiman Johnson Muthama has come to condemn the violence witnessed at the party, noting that during his tenure, UDA was more peaceful.

“What is happening in UDA? Veronica Maina and I left a vibrant and peaceful party in the hands of Cecily Mbarire and Cleophas Malala. As party stalwarts, we expected everyone to adhere to the peaceful and cohesive leadership of our Party Leader. Please let us avoid engaging in activities that could harm our party,” Muthama inquired.

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