Recent developments in the UDA party following an alleged coup at the Hustler Centre have exposed former Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala as a man under siege.
For months, the rabble-rousing politician has been a subject of controversy amid squabbles in the ruling party, and critics baying for his blood.
Malala’s future as the UDA secretary general now hangs in the balance despite the once high-flying politician pushing back against opponents keen on toppling him.
On Tuesday, Malala was forced to fight back claims that he had resigned as UDA secretary general after a letter allegedly written by him started doing the rounds on social media.
"Ignore propaganda. The party is stable and focused on helping President William Ruto achieve his agenda for Kenya. Chama iko Imara," Malala said on X.
The letter alleging his resignation claimed that he had done so, after deep reflection on recent troubling developments.
The letter emerged moments after a section of UDA members stormed the party headquarters, hustler centre, claiming Malala's ouster as SG.
The group led by Advocate Joe Khalende claimed to have ousted him and installed a lawyer in his place.
The group alleged that Malala was against the formation of a broad-based government by President William Ruto.
Khalende insisted that he would be taking over as secretary general and return the party to its members.
"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.
On Wednesday, there was a standoff at the Hustler Centre after Malala's supporters clashed with those backing his ouster forcing police to deploy there.
The heavy presence of police lifted the lid on the high-stakes battle for the heart and soul of UDA amid claims that Malala was being ousted over his allegiance to deputy president Rigathi Gachagua.
Despite initially being Ruto's loyalist, Malala is said to have shifted loyalty at the height of the fallout between the president and his deputy.
The Star understands that Malala’s recent utterances that appeared to challenge the decision of President William Ruto’s Cabinet nominations were the last straw that broke the camel’s back.
In a surprise turn of events, Malala joined a section of politicians from Western Kenya to launch what they termed a new generation of leadership to push for the interests of the Luyha nation, ostensibly.
Tellingly, the proponents of the fresh Luyha unity drive included Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya who is a critic of key Western Kenya leaders working with Ruto.
On Monday, Malala attended an event dubbed Mulembe People's Assembly, Kakamega Edition, in which he called for Luyha unity and an audit of the national government projects for the region.
Malala demanded to be told the region's share in the newly constituted broad-based government where President Ruto brought the opposition on board.
“We want to interrogate what share of development Western has been allocated in the current budget. We want accountable leadership,” Malala said.
Despite some MPs allied to Raila Odinga's ODM earlier confirming attendance, they snubbed the event which former CS Rashid Echesa also attended amid an anti-government rhetoric.
Malala's remarks are said to have angered the top echelons of the UDA party, rolling out a plan which has been in the offing for months to kick him out as secretary general.
The statements coupled with claims that he has fallen out with a section of UDA leaders for allegedly working with some forces opposing President Ruto.
There are claims that Malala’s goose is cooked and it is only a matter of time before he is officially kicked out or forced to resign.
However, party organs are expected to ratify such a move before he is ousted, as the UDA Constitution requires.
Speaking ahead of the People’s Assembly in Kakamega, Malala had stressed that leaders in Western would converge on Monday for unity.
“We want to discuss our way forward as a community. We want to talk about how we will move and who we count as friends,” Malala said.
The push to oust Malala also comes at a time when there are claims of a plan to impeach Gachagua with some MPs already collecting signatures.
The DP is allegedly said to be uncomfortable with his boss, forcing the president to find solace in Raila under the government of national unity.
Two months ago Malala was besieged again as infighting rocks the ruling party.
Then, Malala was facing unprecedented rebellion from within the party with his juniors publicly contradicting him.
Embattled, Malala came under serious onslaught over the status of constituency elections in West Pokot.
While Malala had announced the elections had been suspended, National Election Board chairperson Anthony Mwaura dismissed his communique saying Malala has no powers to suspend the polls.
“Reference is made to a notice by the acting secretary general purporting to postpone the ongoing elections in West Pokot,” Mwaura said in a notice to all party members moments after Malala’s communication.
“Article 21 of the UDA constitution establishes the National Elections Board as an independent organ of the party that must act independent of any direction from anybody or any party organ.”
Reluctantly, Mwaura said the notice purporting to address election matters is unlawful, without basis and is therefore null and void.
Moments later, the party’s Electoral and Nomination Resolution Committee chair Adrian Kamotho also fired at the embattled SG terming his communique ‘fake’.
“Our attention is drawn to a public notice issued by the acting secretary general of the UDA party purporting to reference an Order of the Electoral and Nomination Disputes Resolution Committee,” Kamotho said in a statement on May 31.
“The reference order is fake and the same did not emanate from ENRDC.”
From the happenings, observers now believed that the ex-senator, who rose from the County Assembly to the Senate before finding himself at the helm of the ruling UDA, has lost the confidence of Ruto.
Feeling cornered and trying to save face, Malala claimed in a video the party's Facebook page had been hacked. Mwaura’s communication was made on the party’s Facebook page.
President Ruto's digital strategist Dennis Itumbi however denied the claims and said the UDA party's social media pages are safe.
"The United Democratic Alliance, @UDAKenya, Pages are safe across social media ignore anyone saying anything to the contrary," Itumbi tweeted.
The clash came hot on the heels of reports of fallout in the ruling party pitying Ruto and Gachagua.
Malala is regarded in the UDA circles as a Gachagua man, a perception that has made him a target of pro-Ruto forces within the party.
The events come just months after some UDA elected leaders took Malala head-on after his disciplinary warning.
Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga and Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi in a bare-knuckle attack hit at the UDA SG with the county boss claiming it is a matter of time before he is shown the door.
“Ag SG Malala in UDA is like a square peg in a round hole. He doesn't fit. I have said it before and I repeat, we must get rid of him in the coming UDA elections,” said the Nyeri governor.
The leaders were responding to Malala’s warning against disrespecting the presidency.
“I have been deeply concerned by reports of indiscipline among some elected leaders within our party,” Malala said in a hard-hitting statement.