- The President has tapped former Kakamega senator Cleophas Malala to be the new UDA secretary general.
- Kitutu Chache North MP Japhet Nyakundi is the party's new National Treasurer.
Image: PCS
President William Ruto is betting on firebrand and youthful politicians to spearhead the leadership of his United Democratic Alliance party as he plots a second term in office.
The President has tapped former Kakamega senator Cleophas Malala to be the new UDA secretary general, signalling his resolve to give the young people the baton to lead the outfit.
Malala, who resigned from Musalia Mudavadi's Amani National Congress party, is expected to lead a critical phase of the party to realise a merger with Kenya Kwanza affiliates.
In a surprise line-up that snubbed seasoned political players, the UDA outfit settled on Kitutu Chache North MP Japhet Nyakundi as the party's new National Treasurer.
Nyakundi, a first-time MP, is a youthful politician who pulled one of the major political surprises in Kisii after he humbled veteran politician Jimmy Angwenyi to capture the parliamentary seat.
Angwenyi who is the Jubilee party deputy leader had served for decades as the area MP, becoming the country's senior-most MP to have secured as many as six terms in Parliament.
Nyakundi now takes over from former South Mugirango MP Omingo Magara who quit UDA in a huff to join the Jubilee party ahead of the 2022 general election.
Magara, a former grand coalition assistant minister and ex-ODM National Treasurer, would later lose in his quest to capture the Kisii senate seat to ODM's Richard Onyonka in the polls.
Another youthful face in the fresh UDA is Mwala MP Vincent Musyoka a key Ruto ally from Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka's Ukambani backyard.
Musyoka, a third-term MP, is replacing Karisa Nzai at the apex of the UDA leadership, making him one of the most powerful party officials.
In the positions strategically distributed to capture the face of Kenya, East African Legislative Assembly MP Hassan Omar from Coast was named as UDA vice-chairperson.
The post of Chairperson was handed to Mt Kenya with Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire named to the powerful position held by former Machakos Senator Johnson Muthama.
The UDA outfit is also led in Parliament by youthful MPs including Kimani Ichung'wah (National Assembly Majority leader) and Aaron Cheruiyot (Senate Majority leader).