Nairobi, Kenya (TheDispatch.Digital) – In a stunning development, Joe Khalende, who recently claimed to have overthrown UDA Secretary-General Cleophas Malala, has been publicly disowned by UDA Chairperson and Embu County Governor Cecily Mbarire. This high-stakes political drama has highlighted the growing divisions within UDA following its unofficial coalition with ODM.
Governor Mbarire convened an urgent National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting with party officials present in Nairobi, where it was unanimously agreed that no one could declare themselves an official of the party without following due process. She condemned the physical assault on Khalende, who had declared himself the new Secretary-General, replacing Malala, the former Senator of Kakamega.
Khalende’s coup attempt mirrors a past event in ODM when members allied to Raila Odinga ousted former Executive Director Magerer Lagat and replaced him with Oduor Ongw’en while others installed Edwin Sifuna as Secretary-General. Khalende claimed his takeover was endorsed by UDA’s “founder members,” although he did not disclose their names. Despite these claims, Malala dismissed the coup and reaffirmed his leadership, taking steps to safeguard his position.
The roots of this power struggle trace back to Malala’s recent attendance at a meeting organized by Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya. This meeting aimed to rally Luhya leaders, including ODM’s Edwin Sifuna and Saboti MP Caleb Amisi, in response to perceived marginalization within the “broad-based” Kenya Kwanza government. The Luhya community felt shortchanged in Cabinet appointments, with ODM’s deputy leader Wycliffe Oparanya being offered the Ministry of Cooperatives and SMEs, while Raila’s Luo allies, James Opiyo Wandayi and JohMbadi Ng’ong’o, secured the influential Energy and Finance dockets.
Malala’s participation in this meeting did not sit well with UDA stalwarts, who viewed it as a betrayal. This discontent culminated in Khalende’s bold but ultimately unsuccessful coup attempt, where he accused Malala of undermining the party’s progress and sabotaging the Broad-Based Government initiative led by President William Ruto and ODM leader Raila Odinga. Khalende argued that Malala’s actions were aiding UDA’s rivals and disrupting the party’s development.
Governor Mbarire’s intervention and the NEC’s decision highlight the intense factionalism within the UDA, raising questions about the party’s future stability.