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| UDA officials led by party chairlady Cecily Mbarire, SG Cleophas Malala and Treasurer Japheth Nyakundi |
President William Ruto’s UDA has convened a crisis meeting to discuss the ongoing wrangles that are threatening to split the ruling party.
The National Executive Council (NEC) meeting has been called following the Wednesday morning incident where some supporters of Secretary General Cleophas Malala stormed the party offices.
The incident happened barely a day after another group of founding members announced the ‘ouster’ of Malala and declared Joe Khalende as the new SG.
Addressing the press, Party chairperson Cecily Mbarire said the meeting would address the matter in detail and make a decision on the actions it will take in response to today’s incident.
“We are not going to allow this to continue. We will take necessary action on Friday after the NEC meeting,” she said.
Ruto as the party leader will chair the meeting.
She also assured the members that the party remains firm to its course despite today’s incident as she condemned the political goons who she said were mobilised to cause mayhem at the party.
“We are a party that believes in the rule of law, we are a party with very clear ways and means of dealing with our conflicts and we do not in any way support what has happened today,” she stated.
Mbarire at the same time took issue with Khalende’s actions saying the party is governed by a constitution.
“Somebody cannot come to the party and declare themselves an official of the party without following the laid down party procedures,” he stated.
She, however, sympathised with him following the injuries she sustained.
In a video seen by the Star, Khalende had his head bandaged with blood stains on his shirt.
His supporters were heard stopping him from addressing the crowd citing that he should seek treatment first.
Khalende claimed that there were people who had plans to take his life.
Addressing the press Tuesday, Khalende claimed Malala had gone against the Party’s objectives including being against the broad-based government formed by President Ruto.
He also claimed that Malala has not been taking his duties as the SG seriously, therefore the need to replace him.
“He is against the formation of a broad-based government and I’m here to confirm that he is no longer the secretary general of the UDA party. I Joe Khalende will be taking over as the Secretary General of the UDA party,” he said.
“Going forward, the UDA party is going back to its members. It was formed as a people-centred party, not on individuals within the party.”
by FELIX KIPKEMOI