Hassan Omar confirmed as new UDA Secretary-General

The Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP) has confirmed Hassan Omar as the new Secretary General of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA).

This follows the removal of Cleophas Malala from the position last week.

In a statement, Political Parties Registrar Ann Nderitu urged UDA to address the issue of interim officials and to conduct grassroots elections within six months.

Nderitu noted that the President William Ruto-led Party invoked provisions of Article 38 and Article 8(1)(23) of the UDA constitution, which grant the National Executive Committee (NEC) the authority to make changes regarding interim party officials.

UDA’s NEC revoked Malala's appointment as Secretary General and appointed Hassan Omar, the former Vice Chairperson, to the position on an interim basis, on Friday last week. 

Calls for Malala's removal had been voiced by some party members who accused him of undermining the Party’s agenda and acting as a mole for its opponents.

His supporters and those of self-declared SG Joe Khalende clashed last week, resulting in an altercation and injuries, which prompted top Party officials to call for the NEC meeting.