President William Ruto has urged members of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party to quit with the in-fightings and instead work on uniting Kenyans.
Speaking in Tiaty, Baringo County on Friday, Ruto said it is time that all Kenyans worked together, adding that he has formed a broad-based government to ensure that Kenya develops.
"Hata chama yetu ya UDA, Kenya Kwanza, mimi nataka niwaeleze tuwache fujo na mashindano ndani ya chama. Tuhakikishe tuna waunganisha waKenya wote," he said.
This is loosely translated to, "Even in our UDA party, Kenya Kwanza, I want to advise you to stop wrangling. Let us ensure that we unite all Kenyans."
Ruto said this is the moment for all Kenyan leaders to work together for the benefit of all.
He said that if united, the challenges of unemployment and corruption would be a thing of the past.
Wrangles in the party began on Tuesday when lawyer Joe Khalende stormed the UDA party headquarters claiming to have taken over as the secretary general.
Khalende also claimed that ousted SG Cleophas Malala has not been taking his duties seriously.
"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."
Chairperson Mbarire, however, dismissed Khalende's claims saying that UDA is a party that has structures guiding its operations.
Early on Friday, the UDA party's National Executive Committee revoked the appointment of Cleophas Malala as its Secretary General, replacing him with former Mombasa Senator Hassan Omar
"Upon wide and consultative deliberations, and in compliance and in accordance with its mandate under Article 8.2 of the Party Constitution, the National Executive Committee has determined to designate the Vice-Chairperson, Hon. Hassan Omar Hassan to act as the Secretary-General on an interim basis," a statement read in part.
The NEC meeting was chaired by the party's chairperson and Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire.
Malala was appointed acting UDA Secretary-General in February 2023. He replaced Veronica Maina who was nominated to the Senate.