Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala has been kicked out as Senate Deputy Minority Leader and his place taken by Kilifi senator Stewart Madzayo of ODM.
Kivumbi.co.ke understands Malala’s perceived disrespect of ODM as well as mischievous conduct in the Matungu by-election sealed his fate.
In the by-election, Malala’s party ANC won against Raila’s party ODM but the opposition party lamented the state helped ANC win. The by-election was marred by ugly scenes.
Senators allied to the now inactive National Super Alliance (NASA) which brought together ODM, Ford-K, Wiper party, and ANC convened on Wednesday morning to effect Malala’s removal after surviving several such attempts.
Speaking on the choice of Senator Mazdayo after Malala’s ouster, Senate Deputy Minority Whip, Beatrice Kwamboka, said Kilifi County gave ODM 100 percent votes and is thus loyal.
“All MPs, MCAs, Woman Reps, governors, and senators were elected on ODM tickets,” boasted Kwamboka, saying the Coast region is their party’s stronghold.
It does not help matters for Malala that now his party leader Musalia Mudavadi has fallen out with ODM party leader Raila Odinga and has no numbers in the senate.
“To be fair to ODM, they were magnanimous in giving leadership positions to the other member parties of NASA. Now that the (Sacred) coalition seems to have agreed to take on ODM & insult them while at it, isn’t it fair that ODM flexes their muscle?,” Said Kericho senator Aaron Cheruiyot after Malala’s removal.
Mudavadi is part of the sacred alliance bringing together Bungoma senator Moses Wetangula, Baringo Senator Gideon Moi, and Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka.
The alliance is seen as a threat to Raila Odinga’s path to the presidency in 2022.
ODM politicians have claimed the alliance is being favored by State House operatives to frustrate Raila’s presidential ambitions.
The outspoken politician has also been on record disrespecting Kakamega governor Wycliffe Oparanya, an ODM die hard and this could have contributed to his removal.
Malala’s rise to national politics has been more of a fairy tale; a little-known MCA from 2013-2017 and a Senator from 2017 to date, a position he has used to actively participate in national politics.
