Senator Khalwale files petition seeking removal of Malala as UDA secretary general
A petition has been lodged before the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Party Disputes and Resolutions Committee seeking the removal of Cleophas Malala as the ruling party's Secretary General over allegations of gross misconduct.
In the petition, Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale and another member of the UDA party, Walter Mkinginyi Trenk, want Malala kicked out for allegedly usurping the powers and functions of the National Elections Board of the party.
The petitioners accuse Malala of taking advantage of his position as the SG to exploit situations that would be beneficial to him to the detriment of him and other party members.
"I urge the committee to intervene since we the petitioners and other parties of UDA will suffer irreparable personal loss and prejudice," the petitioners seek.
The petitioners argue that the SG has usurped the power of the party's National Elections Board by hiring regional and county managers to conduct the forthcoming grassroots elections which are scheduled to take place on December 9, 2023.
The petitioners further contend that the decision to hire was made without any evidence of consultation with other key party organs such as the National Executive Committee and the National Elections Board.
"By overstepping his mandate and usurping the mandate of the National Elections Board, it is quite clear that the Respondent is bent on compromising the process by appointing his cronies and friends as election management officials," they state.
As a consequence, Khalwale and Trenk want the committee to issue an injunction restraining Malala from exercising the functions of the Office of the Secretary-General of UDA.
Malala, Khalwale political rivarly
Both Malala and Khalwale hail from Kakamega County, where the UDA SG previously served as senator.
The two leaders were eyeing the Kakamega governor's seat in the last general election before the UDA top brass prevailed on Khalwale to shelve his bid in favour of Malala.
The outspoken former legislator, however, lost the seat to Fernandes Barasa of ODM party in the hotly contested race, while Khalwale emerged victorious in his senatorial bid.
