The Office of Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP) has approved Hassan Omar as the new United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Secretary General after Cleophas Malala's removal.

In a statement issued on Monday, Political Parties Registrar Ann Nderitu asked the ruling party to undertake grassroots elections within 180 days to avoid the disaster of present leaders serving on an interim basis.

PHOTO | COURTESY Hassan Omar 

The party's National Executive Committee (NEC) withdrew Malala's designation as SG and selected Omar, the Vice Chairperson, to act as SG in the interim.

A segment of UDA members had called for Malala's removal, accusing him of impeding the party's development and the broad-based administration created by the party leader, President William Ruto.

PHOTO | COURTESY  Cleophas Malala

They also accused Malala of acting as a stooge for UDA opponents to hinder the party's growth.

They also claimed that Malala failed to carry out his mandate of overseeing party processes and executing grassroots polls, which have previously been beset by turmoil and court rulings.