In an assertive declaration, youths aligned with President Ruto’s political faction in Bungoma County and Western Kenya have announced their endorsement of Cleophas Malala, the acting Secretary General of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), vowing to support his bid to retain the position.
The youthful cohort asserts that Malala embodies boldness and harbors a profound vision aimed at expanding the party’s reach to the grassroots.
Gideon Khaemba, the acting UDA youth league Chairperson, convened a press briefing at a hotel in Bungoma, urging all county youth leagues to throw their weight behind Malala’s candidacy for the SG role.
Expressing his discontent, Khaemba placed blame on Western region leaders for opposing UDA’s Secretary General when he advocated for what he deemed as the truth.
“Our regional leaders tend to stifle the progression of youths instead of nurturing their political growth,” he lamented. He highlighted Malala’s efforts to communicate forthrightly with Western leaders during his regional engagements.
Khaemba drew parallels with Sports CS Ababu Namwamba’s tenure as ODM Secretary General, affirming Malala’s capability to handle and advance UDA’s interests.
“We implore our capable Secretary General, Cleophas Malala, to continue traversing Kenya, bolstering the party. We call on youth leagues from various counties to support Malala in his bid to retain the SG role,” Khaemba emphasized.
He underlined the core motive behind establishing a robust youth league: to bolster UDA’s membership by engaging more residents, attributing the party’s genesis to a movement led by Ruto’s associates.
Khaemba emphasized the deployment of party agents in every polling station post-official appointments to enroll members into the party.
Support for Malala’s cause was echoed by Fredrick Musebe, a former Ford Kenya Nominated Member of County Assembly (MCA), who encouraged youths to organize and access empowerment funds, fostering business ventures that generate employment opportunities.
Sophy Chebon, a youth from Chesikaki ward in Mt Elgon, emphasized the resilience of the Bungoma interim youth league, resolutely affirming their alignment with SG Malala and President William Ruto, despite purported threats from rival political entities.
President William Ruto announced that the UDA party will conduct internal elections in December to elect various party officials. Ruto reassured his supporters that impartiality will be a cornerstone of the selection process for these party officials.