Joe Khalende, the self proclaimed UDA Secretary General is escorted out of the party headquarters on July 31,2024.PHOTO: IAN BYRON/KTMN NEWS
Self-proclaimed UDA Secretary General Joe Khalende has been injured following chaos witnessed at the party headquarters along Ndong Road in Nairobi.
Tens of UDA supporters believed to be allied to Cleophas Malalah invaded the party offices on Wednesday, July 31, 2024, chanting songs in support of the former Kakamega Senator.
Pro Malala supporters demonstrate outside Hustler Center on July 31,2024.PHOTO:IAN BYRON/KTMN NEWS
Police were forced to intervene to save Khalende from the wrath of the crowd, believed to have injured him during squabbles at the offices.
This comes hours after Khalende declared himself the UDA secretary General to replace Malalah, who has been holding the position.
Security officers stand guard outside Hustler Center following protests by supporters of UDA Secretary General Cleophas Malala.
On Tuesday, Khalende announced that he was the acting Secretary General and that Malalah was barred from handling party affairs.
“Malala has abdicated his role and duty as the SG of the ruling party. The critical role of the SG of the UDA party is the spokesperson of the party; he communicates and initiates meetings on behalf of the party. Clearly, Malala has joined our opponents. He is supporting the TAWE movement and agendas which contradict the ruling party,” he stated.
“He has gone against our party leader…he is on the forefront against the formation of a broad-based government and I am here to confirm that he is no longer the SG of the UDA party. I Joe Khalende will be taking over as the SG of the UDA party.”
According to Khalende, the party had initiated the process to remove Malalah from office, insinuating that he had turned rogue.
“The conversation to kick out the notorious man has been ongoing within the party. All the party organs are aware and we are all in line. We issued a show-cause letter to Malala, but he has frustrated the process. The party has been doing massive grassroots recruitment and election, he has frustrated the process,” Khalende added.
Malalah has rejected claims of his removal and dismissed rumors of his resignation as false, asserting that the party remains stable and committed to supporting President William Ruto’s agenda.
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