Ford Kenya leaders slam Malala over parties remarks

UDA Secretary General (SG) Cleophas Malala. [Denish Ochieng, Standard]

A section of Ford Kenya leaders in Trans Nzoia County has dismissed calls by United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Secretary General (SG) Cleophas Malala for the folding of political parties.

The leaders said small political parties joined hands and propelled UDA into power and that they should not be dissolved as advocated by Malala.

They reminded Malala that some of the parties that entered into an alliance with UDA, played a pivotal role in building his political career and cautioned him against making ‘disparaging’ remarks against political outfits described as ‘small parties’.

Abraham Wangila, the SG of Trans Nzoia County Youth League, took a stern stance against Malala's comments on UDA partner parties.

Wangila said Malala's ‘disrespectful remarks’ extended not only to Ford Kenya, but also to the Amani National Congress (ANC), parties that had sponsored his political aspirations from the county assembly level up to the senate.

Malala, who made a political shift to UDA after an unsuccessful bid for Kakamega gubernatorial seat on the ANC ticket, referred to these parties as "kiosks" that should merge to create larger entities.

His comments did not go unnoticed by the leadership of Ford Kenya, who stated that Malala should not have used derogatory language towards the very parties that supported his political ambitions, even in the face of electoral defeat.

Wangila expressed his exasperation at Malala's comments and urged him to retract his statements, emphasizing the need for decorum and respect for those who contributed to his political career.

Harrison Wesa, the Chairperson of the Youth League, called on Malala to reconsider his remarks, emphasizing the importance of providing political guidance to his followers.