Malala now wants Ford-Kenya and ANC disbanded

Vihiga Governor Wilber Ottichilo and UDA secretary General Cleophas Malala during the  launch of the National government fertilizer subsidy programme at Chavakali cereals and produce board stores on July 27, 2023. [Benjamin Sakwa, Standard]

UDA Secretary General Cleophas Malala is mounting pressure on Musalia Mudavadi and Moses Wetang’ula to fold their ‘small’ parties.

Malala said plans to make UDA a giant political outfit are on course.

He urged Mudavadi and Wetang’ula to join the party in order to remain politically relevant and keep their presidential ambitions alive.

Speaking at his rural home in Mumias East Constituency, Kakamega County where he received defectors from the Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) and Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), the former Kakamega senator was categorical that Ford Kenya led by Wetang’ula and Mudavadi’s ANC must fold and be part of UDA.

Among the notable defectors received by Malala are former Bungoma Governor Wycliffe Wangamati, who has ditched DAP-K led by former Defence Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa.

“If our big brothers, Mudavadi and Wetang’ula, in their respective parties are serious about empowering our community, we are asking them with a lot of humility to join UDA so that they can put our community in a strategic position,” said Malala.

Malala disclosed that UDA will send Mr Wangamati to engage the two seasoned politicians and convince them to fold their outfits.

“Since our friend Wangamati is almost their age, we want to send him to talk to them slowly, so that they can join the president’s party,” said Malala.

He argued that this time round, the Mulembe community must belong in one basket.

“We do not want a variety of parties and representatives. If you go to other places, the majority of elected people and seats are UDA and when you hear about shares they are qualified to get a big share of the government,” argued Malala.

“If Michael Kijana Wamalwa left Ford Kenya for the sake of our community and joined Narc why not our two big brothers?” posed Malala.

He added: “Mudavadi had to join Kanu to be appointed vice president and served for three months. William Ruto folded his URP party while serving as deputy president and he is now the president,” said Malala.

The combative politician maintained that, this time round, the Western region must get its political arithmetic right unlike before.

“We have been having so many small parties for the last 20 years, and we have never won the presidency. We cannot afford to do the same thing the same way and expect different results. We urge them to join the ruling party so that they can one day become president,” said Malala.

Webuye East MP Dan Wanyama said it is high time the youth reclaimed their positions if the older folks are dilly-dallying.