The political landscape in Kenya is heating up as Cleophas Malala, the former Kakamega Senator and current Secretary-General of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), gains ground and garners support from the highest echelons of the party.
However, with his meteoric rise, a section of Kenya Kwanza affiliate leaders from the Western region is reportedly plotting to unseat him in the upcoming UDA party elections.
Malala, who took the helm of UDA’s Secretary-General just a few months ago, has been making waves in the political arena, leaving an indelible mark on the party’s journey to national prominence.
His leadership has revitalized UDA, raising concerns among some Western region leaders who fear that his growing influence could lead to Kenya Kwanza’s affiliate parties merging with UDA.
In less than two months, Cleophas Malala’s rallying call for other leaders and supporters to abandon their respective parties and join UDA has yielded astounding results. The party’s membership has surged to a staggering 7.2 million people, a historic high since the inception of the multi-party system in Kenya.
One of Malala’s key objectives has been to encourage parties like the Amani National Congress (ANC) and Ford Kenya to fold into UDA and create a truly national political force.
However, this call has raised concerns among a faction of Luhya leaders who perceive his growing legacy as a threat to their own political ambitions.
Moreover, under Malala’s leadership, UDA has developed a cutting-edge digital voting system, which is set to be utilized in the upcoming party elections scheduled for December. This innovative approach to party elections has garnered further attention and admiration.
What intensifies the fight against Malala is the recent endorsement from UDA’s top brass, including Party Leader President William Ruto. President Ruto publicly applauded Malala’s remarkable efforts in propelling UDA’s membership to an unprecedented 7.2 million, describing him as a young but visionary leader deserving of unwavering support.
Nonetheless, reports reaching our news desk indicate that the Luhya leaders who are allegedly panicking over Malala’s ascent are currently uncertain about whom to sponsor as his potential replacement.
Sources within UDA’s leadership circles suggest that the majority of the party members firmly stand behind Cleophas Malala, considering him the ideal Secretary-General to lead UDA into the future.
As UDA gears up for its internal elections in December, all eyes are on the unfolding political drama, with Cleophas Malala at the center of it all.
The battle for the party’s leadership and the direction it takes in the coming months promises to be a riveting and pivotal moment in Kenya’s political landscape.
It’s also ironical how these Luhya leaders fighting Malala actually found their way into the Kenya Kwanza government using Malala’s iconic platform – the Malala Super Cup.