BY SAM ALFAN.
Former United Democratic United (UDA) secretary General Cleopas Malala has withdrawn a petition challenging his ouster from the ruling party.
Malala wrote a letter to the Registrar of the High Court withdrawing the petition, a few hours after lodging the case.
“The petitioner (Cleopas Malala) the petition No.E376 of 2024 Cleopas Wakhungu Malala vs Cecil Mbarire & Another hereby withdrawals the entire petition with no order to costs,” the letter from his lawyer stated.
Malala had challenged his removal from the party arguing it was done unlawfully.
The politician wanted a temporary injunction restraining the UDA’s National Executive Committee (NEC) from interfering with his work in any way or manner.
He had also sought to stop UDA and the chairperson of the party- Embu Governor Mbarire from convening a NEC Meeting, which was held on Friday 2nd August, 2024.
It was his argument that UDA’s constitution vests the power to call NEC meetings on the secretary general.
He said goons calling themselves UDA founding members stormed the party’s headquarters on 30 July, 2024 and purported to oust him.
He said the goons supported by some small group of known UDA members invaded the party offices and declared to have to have ousted him.
He said on 31 July, 2024 the UDA convened a hastily arranged press conference where Mbarire proceeded to issue a Notice for a NEC meeting of the UDA Party to be held on 2 August, 2024.
“This is arbitrary, un-procedural, and illegal and contrary to the party’s constitution which vests the powers to issue notices for the NEC Meetings exclusively with the Secretary General, the Applicant herein and NOT the UDA who is the Acting Chairperson,” says Malala.
He says Mbarire who is the acting chairperson is acting with impunity and in total disregard of the Party’s Constitution and the Claimant’s rights as Secretary General of the UDA Party.
