Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Monday, June 26, defended United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Secretary-General Cleophas Malala over accusations of leading the party into chaos.
Speaking during a press briefing at UDA party offices, Gachagua hailed Malala’s efforts for increasing the party’s activities and rallying the membership drive.
In addition, Gachagua hailed the chaos that was witnessed in the Mombasa meeting – noting that it symbolised the enormity of the party with various leaders scrambling to outwit each other.
“We are very happy with what SG Malala is doing. Since his ascent to this office, the party has been energised with very many drives. I saw there was chaos in Mombasa, that is a positive thing. People only fight for a popular party.
“All these other briefcase parties, nobody is bothered about them because no one really knows about their existence so the more vicious leadership wrangles are, the better it is for the party,” Gachagua remarked.
Further, the deputy president pointed out that that party had developed internal mechanisms to resolve wrangles in a democratic manner.
“UDA party encourages internal party policies. Everybody is free to criticise anyone. We ran away from Jubilee because of the dictatorship. I’ve been here and told Malala to correct a few issues and it’s only that I have not corrected him in public. Everyone must be held to account,” he noted.
While alluding to the delay in party grassroots elections, Gachagua indicated that the official dates were pushed owing to the formation of the Kenya Kwanza administration.
“We delayed elections because we were forming the government and getting the country moving. At the right time, we will announce the party elections,” he noted.
Earlier, National Assembly Deputy Speaker, Gladys Boss questioned Malala’s motives in running the affairs of the party.
In particular, she wondered whether Malala’s purpose was to run the party to the ground.
“My personal opinion as a UDA member is that I am disappointed with the performance of Cleophas Malala. He has been going on the UDA membership drive and many have been violent.
“I enquired from some of the UDA members and since we started the party, we recruited people in a record under a year. At that time, there was not a single UDA meeting that was violent.\,” Shollei stated in an interview on June 26, 2023.
