Kenya Insights

Tag: United Democratic Alliance (UDA)

  • Elevated MCA, Sudi Tells Off Malala Over Disciplinary Warning As UDA Wars Escalate

    Elevated MCA, Sudi Tells Off Malala Over Disciplinary Warning As UDA Wars Escalate

    Kapseret Member of Parliament Oscar Sudi has dismissed a warning by United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Secretary General Cleophas Malala over misconduct labeling him an “elevated MCA”.

    Sudi, considered President William Ruto’s political enforcer, said Malala was suffering an “illusory superiority” in a response on Wednesday.

    “[An] Elevated MCA suffering from illusory superiority, thinking he matches Raphael Tuju’s calibre,” Sudi responded, comparing his to SG of the former ruling Jubilee Party.

    Malala had ordered Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga, Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi, and Githunguri’s Gathoni Wa Muchomba to cease their attacks on the party leadership including the presidency, or have disciplinary action taken against them.

    He said the recent public sentiments by the three members disrespected the leadership of the party they pledged to serve and were fueling disunity.

    “Let this be a stern warning to desist from such actions with immediate effect. This behavior will not be tolerated within the realms of our party,” said Malala.

    Malala, a former MCA and Senator, also warned Cabinet Secretaries Kipchumba Murkomen (Transport) and Moses Kuria (Public Service) asking them to cease political activity per the law.

    He advised them to resign and join the political arena should they wish to pursue politics.

    Malala warned young politicians in the party engaged in premature 2032 campaigns to stop such activities and focus on delivering service to the public.

    “Early campaigning not only distracts from your responsibilities but also disrespects the trust placed in you by the electorate. Should you continue with these premature campaigns the party will take stern disciplinary action against you,” said Malala.

    The call to order came following weeks of public attacks between two factions in the ruling UDA.

    Siege on Gachagua

    On May 26, Sudi rebuked Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s recent warning that Rift Valley MPs should refrain from engaging in Central Kenya politics.

    Sudi said Gachagua had no authority to direct any politician or leader on where they should engage their politics in Kenya.

    “You cannot control where I go. If we all stayed in our respective constituencies, then we would not be in government. We had to fly all over the country to ask Kenyans to elect this government,” he stated.

    “I am not someone you can threaten,” Sudi declared saying he had had enough.

    The lawmaker accused Gachagua’s faction of fostering division by restricting political leaders from touring other regions.

    “I will continue meeting people even in Mount Kenya and doing harambees. I learned [this] from the president himself, and I will not stop,” he added.

    Gachagua had taken the fight against the Sudi-led faction to the president’s stronghold warning “young politicians” against interfering in Central Kenya politics during a meeting in Kesses on May 25.

    “The problem is a few leaders here from this region who have proximity to the President are the ones meddling with Central Kenya politics and involving themselves in premature 2032 succession,” Gachagua stated.

    The DP launched the onslaught after emerging from a week-long absence from State function on May 19.

    Kahiga who accompanied him to a church event at the time argued Mount Kenya region would not allow anyone to mistreat Gachagua.

    He said the people elected Gachagua to his current position.

    “I want to say here in front of everyone, we will not allow our son (Gachagua) to go through what Ruto went through in the hands of Uhuru Kenyatta. We will not allow our son to be mistreated. We will not,” Kahiga said.

  • Chaos In UDA: Cleophas Malala Warns Kuria, Murkomen To Stop Attacking Gachagua Or Resign, Threatens Rebels

    Chaos In UDA: Cleophas Malala Warns Kuria, Murkomen To Stop Attacking Gachagua Or Resign, Threatens Rebels

    The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) has issued a stern warning to several of its members, including Cabinet Secretaries, to either focus on their official duties or resign from their positions to engage in politics. The party’s Secretary General, Cleophas Malala, expressed concern over the recent behavior of some elected leaders, which he deemed disrespectful to the party leadership and the presidency.

    Speaking upon his return from a trip to China, where the UDA delegation engaged in discussions with the Communist Party of China on matters of mutual interest, Malala emphasized the importance of party unity and discipline. He specifically called out Githunguri Member of Parliament, Hon. Gathoni Wa Muchomba, Kapseret Member of Parliament, Hon. Oscar Sudi, and Nyeri Governor, Hon. Mutahi Kahiga, for their recent conduct that undermines the party’s unity and disrespects the leadership.

    Malala issued a stern warning to these leaders, urging them to desist from such actions with immediate effect. “Failure to do so would result in disciplinary action being taken.” He said. He also addressed Cabinet Secretaries who have been involving themselves in political activities, contrary to the law, which requires them to remain apolitical.

    Malala specifically went all out for Hon. Moses Kuria, the Cabinet Secretary for Public Service, Gender, and Affirmative Action, and Hon. Kipchumba Murkomen, Cabinet Secretary for Roads and Transport, stating that their primary responsibility is to serve the people within their respective dockets. “Should they wish to engage in politics, they are welcome to resign and join the political arena.” He added.

    Malala also urged young politicians within the UDA who have prematurely begun their campaigns for 2032 to halt these activities, as they not only distract from their responsibilities but also disrespect the trust placed in them by the electorate. “The party will take stern disciplinary action against those who continue with these premature campaigns.” He said.

    Malala emphasized the importance of party discipline and respect for party hierarchy, stating that any form of indiscipline will not be tolerated within the ranks of the UDA party.

    Ruto-Gachagua rift

    Malala’s statement comes in the backdrop of widening rift between President Ruto and his DP Gachagua that has seen politicians allied to both leaders engage in fierce exchanges in the recent past.

    There are reports that Gachagua has already booked a political outfit as he plots to exit UDA, further affirming the fears that his relationship with Ruto is in tatters.

    Gachagua’s new party

    According to reports in local newspapers, Gachagua is collaborating with The New Democrats (TND) officials to explore options outside UDA, while Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga warns President Ruto’s support in Mt Kenya could be threatened by attacks.

    The DP is reportedly reaching out to political players, including a former top government official, for a possible political deal. Gachagua has acquired a political party and has approached a Western Kenyan governor (Natembeya) to join his team. The DP has accused some allies of President Ruto in his Rift Valley backyard of being used to undermine him. Another list of operatives is being used to fight the DP, including youthful groups including Ndindi Nyoro who believe it is time to assert themselves in leadership positions.

    G7

    The DP is also facing opposition from the G7 group, led by Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru, who is aiming to increase the number of female governors in the next election. The governor, Kahiga, believes that Waiguru is using ‘G7’ as a strategy to strategically place herself as a possible replacement for the DP. President Ruto has previously clashed with the DP on having a woman as the running mate for a man in the next election, which has unsettled Gachagua, who fears “betrayal.”

    Kahiga believes that President Ruto is a wise politician who will not change his running mate but warns that changing his deputy could risk losing the support he enjoys in the region. The DP’s claims of being fought by Ruto’s close associates and the “women factor” in the 2027 race have also upset him.

    Mt Kenya’s politicians, including Githunguri MP Gathoni wa Muchomba and former Kiambu governor Ferdinand Waititu, are calling for DP Gachagua to declare his interest in the top seat in 2027. They believe the problems facing the region are linked to a scheme to divide the country. Mountain politics are unique, often bringing together threats to its welfare or betrayal. Mr Kahiga described DP Gachagua as a battle-hardened political soldier, stating that he will survive relentless attacks and prove his loyalty to only one leader at a time.