Millicent Omanga Sparks Row With Malala Over Re-organisation Of UDA

Former Nominated Senator, Millicent Omanga has voiced her opposition towards United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Secretary-General, Cleophas Malala's move to reorganise the party's secretariat on Monday, January 8.

In a lengthy statement shared on her official social media pages, Omanga, an ally of President William Ruto, noted that the allegations against Malala as appertains incompetence and nepotism in the appointments to leadership positions in the ruling party were unsurprising, however unfortunate.

She boldly accused the former Kakamega senator of focusing so much on personal glory and selfish interests at the expense of keeping and improving the party's popularity in the country.

"For a man who has been fixated with personal glory and selfish pursuit at the very expense of popularising the party, this was expected. The party is now losing its glory, members are disenfranchised and displeased thanks to his excruciating incompetence, lack of vision and skulduggery," she wrote in part.

United Democratic Alliance headquarters in Kilimani, Nairobi dubbed 'Hustler Centre'. /FILE

Omanga claimed that Malala resorted to filling the party's management with his acquaintances, relatives and hangers-on who did not contribute anything to the growth of the UDA party effectively.

She also faulted him for intentionally abandoning hardworking and dedicated hustlers who played a vital role in the ascension of UDA to the highest power in the country.

"It has come a time that we must call a spade a spade and make the office of the SG work. We won't allow our party to be run by an individual who doesn't carry H.E. President William Ruto's vision.

"All party members who fought for the party must get their fair share in the management of the party or the chips will fall; and the time is now!" she issued a rallying call.

Malala in an internal memo to staff explained that the re-organisation was aimed at strengthening the political outfit and enhancing operations.

“After careful consideration and in order to enhance effective collaboration to streamline internal processes, the party secretariat has been restructured,” Malala remarked. 

The restructuring affected the Executive Office of the Secretary-General, Office of the Executive Director, Directorate of Elections and ICT and Directorate of Programs and Partnership as well as the Directorate of Finance and Administration, Directorate of Communication, Directorate of Membership, Directorate of Political And Diaspora Affairs, Directorate of Legal and Compliance, and Directorate of Events and Logistics. 

The changes were as follows:

Under the Executive Office of the Secretary-General, the members will be; Alfred Makotsi (Principal Assistant), Victor Welden (Political Advisor), Patience Kiti (Office Manager), Arnold Maliba (Strategic Communications Advisor), Joseph Akwiri (Media Liaison Manager), Betty Truphena Mbogo (Resource Mobilization, Programs and Partnerships Advisor), and  Geoffrey Kipsang (Head of Strategic Research).

Others include; Samuel Wetungu (Liaison Director Executive Affairs – BETA (Monitoring and Evaluation), Ongw’en Justine (Head of Protocol), Wangeci Linah (Legal Advisor), Dominic Chege (ICT Admin and Elections Advisor), Momanyi Brian (Communications Officer - photography), Dickson Omari (Communications Officer - Videography), Lucy Kaleke (Communications Officer), Mulusa Evans (Digital Communications Officer), Catherine Gathoni (Executive Secretary), and Amboye Shakila (Executive Secretary). 

The Office of the Executive Director under the leadership of Nicodemus Bore was also restructured with Edwin Kipkoech acting as Personal Assistant to Bore while Dennis Saidimu will work as manager at the Office of the Executive Director. 

Other changes included;  Samora Machel (Manager of Parliamentary Affairs), Sande Oyolo (County Liaison Manager), Marvin Orengo (Communications Officer), Hellen Njeri (Executive Secretary), Lucy Oguti (Warehouse Manager), Marvin Wamukota (Internal Auditor), and Willie Karanja (Head of Registry and Record Management). 

Changes in the Directorate of Elections and ICT were; Brian Mbugua (Deputy Executive Director in charge of Elections and ICT), Kelvin Kitika (ICT Manager), Wilson Samba (Head of Training and Capacity Building), and Collins Babu (Elections Manager).

The following will serve under the Directorate of Programs and Partnership; Daniel Kiptoo (Director of Programs and Partnership), Connie Kaptuya (Special Interest Groups Manager), Sebastian Mwangangi (Manager Programs), and Martha Kega (MSME Liaison). 

Malala further restructured the Directorate of Finance and Administration as follows; Joseph Mulili Kituku (Director of Finance and Administration),  Mercy Kuria (Supply Chain Manager), James Losikany (Manager Administration), and Mwasingo Dishon (Human Resources Manager).

Others serving in the finance department include; Mertrine Musanga (Finance Manager), Judy Totona (Manager Office of the Party Leader), and Moses Saoyo Kusero (Manager Office of the Deputy Party Leader). 

Rob Nura will act as Director of Communications with Benjamin Caleb Wandalo serving as Manager of Public Relations. 

Further in the Directorate of Communications, Moses Munyi Njagi will be UDA’s Chief Editor with Antony Ngeru Muburi acting as Head of Communications Research while Yusuf Omete will serve as the Digital Communications Manager.

Samuel Mwangi will oversee the UDA party membership deputised by Anthony Njenga. 

Under the Directorate of Political And Diaspora Affairs, the following were confirmed; Charles Matoke ( Director of Political and Diaspora Affairs), Jennifer Malik Manager (Diaspora Affairs), and George Muthemba (Manager of Political Affairs). 

Kibet Kirui Emmanuel was appointed as the Director of Legal and Compliance while Anet Chepngetich will serve as legal manager. 

Lastly, the following will serve under the Directorate of Events and Logistics; Grace Murugi Gicovi (Director of Events and Logistics), Susan Toiran (Events Manager), Kenneth Bii (Logistics Manager), and Ishmael Bosire (Manager Transport).