Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) deputy Cleophas Malala has been dealt a blow after a court ordered him to pay his former party, the United Democratic Alliance (UDA).

On Tuesday, the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal (PPDT) ordered Malala to pay UDA Ksh150,000 as legal costs following a court battle initiated by the former UDA Secretary-General.

With UDA rightfully winning the case, Deputy Registrar Lydiah Mbacho signed the certificate confirming that UDA had rightfully claimed the amount.

“I do hereby certify that the 2nd Respondent’s Party and Party Bill of Costs dated August 28, 2024,” Mbacho's ruling stated.

President William Ruto (left) greets former UDA Secretary General Cleophas Malala at the party headquarters in Nairobi on April 2, 2024.

PCS

In October 2024, Malala attempted to challenge his removal as UDA Secretary-General by taking up the matter with a tribunal, which compelled Registrar of Political Parties Anne Nderitu to refrain from effecting changes in the UDA hierarchy pending Malala's case.

Malala's expulsion followed weeks of wrangles with the party, prompting UDA's National Executive Council (NEC) to call an urgent meeting to discuss the way forward, which, of course, revolved around removing Malala from his position.

Months later, on April 28, Justice Bahati Mwamuye of the High Court upheld his ouster, quashing a decision made by the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal (PPDT), which had temporarily reinstated Malala to his position in UDA.

Since his ouster, Malala has gone on to become Deputy Party Leader of the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP), led by another adversary of the Kenya Kwanza government, Rigathi Gachagua.

Back in UDA, Malala was replaced by Hassan Omar, who was named acting Secretary-General in a move by Cecily Mbarire, the UDA chairperson.

Incidentally, Malala was the second former UDA party member to face a financial setback, coming barely a day after former nominated Senator Gloria Orwoba was ordered to pay Ksh10.5 million in a defamation case.

The judgment was delivered by Magistrate Ruguru Ngotho on Monday, as the Milimani Commercial Court found Orwoba guilty of sharing malicious posts on her WhatsApp stories, Facebook page, and X, accusing the  Senate Clerk Jeremiah Nyegenye of sexual harassment.

Orwoba has since vowed to appeal the ruling, saying the ruling was politically motivated. 

United Democratic Alliance Party Secretary General Cleophas Malala addressing the press.

Photo

UDA