UDA Secretary General Cleophas Malala laughed off claims of losing control over the party’s bank accounts during a recent interview.
According to Malala, cartels in the party are behind the allegations as he has provided to run the party professionally.
“I’ve ensured it’s impossible to steal from the party. They can’t just come here asking for Sh1 million or Sh5 million to use over the weekend. I’ve made it extremely challenging for the cartels. A story lacking facts isn’t worth writing. Those allegations simply aren’t true,” Malala explained.
In his defense, Malala organized a conference call with the manager of Equity Bank, where UDA holds four accounts: the Political Parties Fund Account, the Elected Members Account, UDA Elections Account, and Donations Account.
For all these accounts, Malala, UDA chairperson Cecily Mbarire, and National Treasurer Japheth Nyakundi are listed as signatories.
According to reports, Malala powers to run the party had been reduced in a measurable turn of the UDA power struggle.
According to a certain publication, the party has been embroiled in allegations of paying salaries to nonexistent employees, with claims suggesting the existence of approximately 30 ghost workers earning between Sh150,000 and Sh300,000 per month.
Tensions within the party escalated when Malala returned from a trip to China on May 29, issuing a cautionary message to certain party leaders regarding their recent behavior, sparking the latest conflict.
Expressing concern over the lack of discipline among elected leaders within UDA, Malala stated, “Certain individuals persist in showing blatant disrespect towards the party leadership.”
His admonition extended to Cabinet Secretaries in President Ruto’s administration, urging Public Service CS Moses Kuria and Roads and Infrastructure CS Kipchumba Murkomen to resign if they wished to engage in politics.
Additionally, he cautioned Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba, Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi, and Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga regarding their behavior.
So far the party has reported that their primary focus remained on grassroots elections and noted the commendable turnout thus far. They highlighted the active participation of people in large numbers to elect officials, affirming that the party was currently in good standing.
