The Political Parties Disputes Tribunal (PPDT) has issued orders halting the replacement of Cleophas Malala as United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Secretary General.
The tribunal temporarily stopped the Registrar of Political Parties, Anne Nderitu, from making any changes to the party’s leadership pending further hearings.
This development comes after Malala filed a complaint challenging his removal as Secretary General.
The tribunal’s ruling, delivered by Desma Nungo, Stephen Musau, Muzna Jin, and Abdirahman Adan Abdikadir, instructed Nderitu to halt the registration of Hassan Omar as the new Secretary General.
“The respondent is to immediately re-serve their responses upon the applicant via the email address exchanged in the virtual platform,” the ruling read in part.
The next hearing is scheduled for October 16, 2024, at 2:30 pm, when both parties will present their arguments in a full hearing.Malala’s ouster on August 2, 2024, came after weeks of intense wrangling within the party, with growing tensions leading to his removal.
The decision to replace him was reached during a National Executive Council (NEC) meeting presided over by the UDA’s national chairperson, Cecile Mbarire.
The NEC cited issues of non-compliance with party policies and alleged misconduct as reasons for his removal.In a statement, the party declared, “The appointment of Cleophas Malala as the interim Secretary General is hereby revoked.
These changes are effective immediately.” Following this announcement, Hassan Omar, the party’s Vice Chairperson, was named as the acting Secretary General.
“Upon wide and consultative deliberations, and in compliance and in accordance with its mandate under Article 8.2 of the party constitution, the National Executive Committee has determined to designate the Vice Chairperson, Hassan Omar Hassan, to act as the Secretary General on an interim basis,” the NEC resolved.
The tribunal’s decision to halt the changes, however, has thrown the party into further uncertainty, with insiders revealing that factions within the party are sharply divided over the issue.
Malala’s supporters have welcomed the ruling as a temporary victory, while others argue that the party should have the autonomy to determine its own leadership.
As the case awaits its next hearing, political observers are keenly watching how this power struggle within UDA will unfold, and whether Malala will make a comeback or if Hassan Omar will eventually take over the reins as Secretary General.
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