Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga and Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi have responded strongly to United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Secretary General Cleophas Malala’s earlier warning to respect the party leadership and the presidency.
In a social media post, Governor Kahiga emphasized that Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who also serves as the UDA deputy party leader, deserves respect. He reiterated his stance that the Mt. Kenya region will not tolerate any humiliation of the country’s second-in-command within the government.
Kahiga took a swipe at Malala, suggesting that he is insignificant in the UDA and should be removed from his position. “Acting Secretary General Malala in UDA is like a square peg in a round hole. He doesn’t fit. I have said it before and I repeat, we must get rid of him in the coming UDA elections,” the Nyeri Governor stated.
“We have come from an era of being gagged and threatened for speaking our minds. UDA was never built on such tenets and the earlier our ANC acting SG in UDA understood that, the better for him.”
Oscar Sudi also weighed in, derogatorily referring to Malala as an “Elevated MCA suffering from illusory superiority, thinking he matches Raphael Tuju’s calibre.”
Malala had previously issued a stern letter warning several UDA members, including Kahiga, Sudi, Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba, and Cabinet Secretaries Kipchumba Murkomen and Moses Kuria. In the letter, Malala accused these individuals of either disrespecting party leadership and the presidency or engaging in political activities contrary to the laws of the land.
“Your recent conduct not only undermines the party’s unity but also disrespects the leadership that you pledged to serve. Let this be a stern warning: desist from such actions with immediate effect. Should this behaviour persist, the party will take disciplinary action against you,” Malala warned.
He further urged young politicians within the UDA who have prematurely begun their campaigns for 2032 to cease these activities and focus on serving their constituents.
Malala’s warning came amid rumors of disunity within the Kenya Kwanza alliance, highlighted by public clashes between MP Sudi and DP Gachagua. This tension followed Gachagua’s admonition to young politicians close to President William Ruto from the Rift Valley, urging them to respect him and the people of Mt. Kenya.
In response, Sudi declared he is not intimidated by threats and will continue to travel across the country as he sees fit.
