Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale has taken action by filing a petition with the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Disputes Resolutions Committee to remove Cleophas Malala from his position as the party's Secretary General.

In the petition, in which UDA is named as an interested party, Khalwale accuses Malala of exploiting his position for personal gain at the expense of party members.

Khalwale also alleges that Malala has taken on the responsibilities of the National Elections Board, the party's sole organ authorized to handle internal party election matters.

The statement reads in part: "The Petitioners will suffer irreparable personal loss and prejudice if the Honorable Committee does not intervene."

Khalwale expresses concern over Malala's hiring of regional and county managers to oversee the upcoming grassroots elections scheduled for December 9, 2023, without proper consultation with key party organs such as the National Executive Committee and the National Elections Board.

He accuses Malala of compromising the election process by appointing his associates to key positions.

As a remedy, Khalwale urges the committee to issue an injunction restraining Malala from exercising the functions of the UDA Secretary General.

Khalwale's co-petitioner in this matter is Walter Mkinginyi Trenk.

This move comes after a recent fallout between Khalwale and Malala, triggered by the latter's directive to have all parties aligned with UDA dissolve their organizations and join the ruling coalition. Khalwale challenged Malala's stance, emphasizing the need for recent UDA members, like Malala, to prove their legitimacy within the party.