The former Kakamega senator was ejected on Friday after days of turmoil at the ruling party’s headquarters.
A statement from the party indicated that the National Executive Committee convened at the request of members to review the events.
The meeting chaired by Cecily Mbarire resolved to relieve Malala of his duties and appointed te East African Legislative Assembly MP Hassan Omar on an interim basis.
“Upon wide and consultative deliberations, and in compliance with Article 8.2 of the party constitution, the NEC has determined to designate the vice chairperson Hassan Omar to act as the secretary general on an interim basis,” the party's top organ said.
“The appointment of Cleophas Malala as the interim secretary general is hereby revolved. These changes are effective immediately.”
Reliable sources said Malala was sent packing for allegedly disrespecting the party leaders, especially high-ranking Western leaders.
The former senator was accused of insubordination of party bosses, sometimes taking a divergent position on national matters.
His political activities and utterances against National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi are said to have featured in the deliberations.
“His behaviour as the UDA secretary seneral suggested that he failed in stakeholder engagement and made key UDA rank and file uncomfortable with his brand of politics,” a top official said.
For the party's top guns, the interim secretary failed to "balance the equation that calls for agile stakeholders' engagement and aligning with party owners."
It is believed that Malala failed to align with the party leaders' expectations and operate in line with the manifesto.
The official also said the party leadership was concerned that the secretary “was not alive to emerging political scenarios.”
“It appeared to the leaders that Malala did not align with the UDA 2027 general elections plan. He successfully antagonised UDA rank and file as her pursued his selfish political interests,” the source said.
“His political ambitions were not aligned with UDA interests. He forgot that party officials serve at the pleasure of party leaders.”
Other sources said that the secretary failed to vouch for staff unity among other concerns about how he managed party cash.
When contacted for comment on the allegations, Malala said he would give a comprehensive statement on the unfolding events.
“I will address the nation on these matters,” he said on the phone, even as a judge set September 30 as the date to hear his appeal against the party’s decision.
Justice Lawrence Mugambi in the orders obtained by Malala, gave UDA and its chairperson Mbarire 14 days to respond to the application challenging the party’s move.
On Tuesday, Joe Khalende - a lawyer - stormed the party headquarters claiming to have taken over as secretary general, and accused Malala of not taking his duties seriously.
"He is against the formation of a broad-based government. I'm here to confirm that he is no longer the secretary general of the UDA party," he said.
Malala, in a surprising move, recently joined a section of politicians from western Kenya to launch a "new generation of leadership to push for the interests of the Luhya nation".
Notable names in the drive include Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya. The latter is a critic of Musalia, Wetang'ula and other leaders working with Ruto.
Malala was also at the mulembe people's assembly, Kakamega edition, where demanded an audit of the national government projects for the region.
He sought to be told the region's share in the newly constituted broad-based government.
“We want to interrogate what share of development Western has been allocated in the current budget. We want accountable leadership,” he said.
The UDA statement alluded to the meeting as among the reasons for his removal.
“The constitution of the party mandates us to provide policies and political guidance to the party. Over time, we must continually realign our policies and political guidance with the broader national political landscape and our collective aspirations,” the party said.
The NEC added that as the governing and policy-making organ, it has "an essential role in driving the political agenda of the party".
“Resultantly, the party will be implementing a raft of governing and administrative measures to accelerate its agenda.”
Malala was appointed acting UDA secretary general in February last year to replace Veronica Maina who was nominated to the Senate.
