DCP Deputy Cleophas Malala [MALALA/X]

Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) deputy Cleophas Malala has been dealt a significant blow after the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal (PPDT) ordered him to pay Sh150,000 in legal costs to United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Chairperson Cecily Mbarire.

This follows the dismissal of a case he filed challenging UDA’s internal restructuring process, which he had argued was unconstitutional and aimed at undermining his authority within the party.

In a certificate of taxation issued on July 15, 2025, by Lydiah Mbacho, Registrar of the High Court at the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal, Malala was directed to pay the costs incurred by Mbarire during the legal battle.

“I, do hereby certify that the 2nd respondent’s party and party bill of costs dated August 28, 2024, and lodged by Adrian Kamotho Njenga & Company Advocates for the 2nd respondent, was taxed on July 10, 2025, and allowed in favor of the 2nd respondent as against the complainant to the sum of Sh150,000 only,” reads the certificate.

The former UDA secretary general had sued UDA officials, including Chairperson Cecily Mbarire, seeking to halt the party’s restructuring that had led to key changes in its leadership organs, including his ownouster.

Malala claimed his ouster was politically motivated.

He argued that the restructuring was conducted without due regard to the party’s constitution and was part of a broader scheme to sideline him.

However, the tribunal dismissed his case, ruling that internal party disputes should first be handled through the party’s dispute resolution mechanisms before involving the courts or external tribunals.

The tribunal found Malala’s claims lacking in merit and unnecessarily burdened the respondents with legal expenses, hence the decision to award costs against him.

Earlier this year, the High Court affirmed a decision by President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance Party in which it removed former Kakamega Senator Cleaphas Malala as its secretary general and replaced him with Hassan Omar.

Justice Bahati Mwamuye, in the ruling, quashed orders that had been issued by the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal stopping the Registrar of Political Parties from replacing Cleophas Malala with Hassan Omar as UDA secretary general.

The tribunal had in October last year restrained Registrar of Political Parties Anne Nderitu from effecting the changes in the ruling party pending hearing of a case filed by Malala.