Deputy president Rigathi Gachagua has come to the defence of UDA party secretary general cleophas malala on his call for parties in Kenya kwanza to dissolve and join UDA.

Speaking to citizen tv on Sunday, the deputy president said that what malala did was try to bring energy to the party and that it was just an invitation for them to join the party if they wanted to but that they were not being forced.

PHOTO | COURTESY Rigathi Gachagua 

"I have spoken to the UDA Secretary General Cleophas Malala and we don't need to coerce people to fold up their parties and join UDA. He can invite people to join UDA, but they don't have to. It was just Malala's way of bringing energy to the party," Rigathi Gachagua's response comes a week after cleophas Malala's sentiments caused friction in the kenya kwanza coalition. malala had asked party leaders to resign from their position in their parties and join the ruling party UDA.

"He should resign and allow us to engage the next party leader of FORD Kenya on matters dissolution. He cannot contribute because he is a State officer and State officers are not allowed to contribute on matters political parties and participate in politics. That is the position of the constitution," Malala said.

PHOTO | COURTESY Moses Wetangula

Moses Wetangula, the leader of FORD Kenya, has responded to the claims that kenyans are democratic and should be allowed to make their own political choices. Kakamega Deputy Governor Ayub Savula said that dissolving parties to form one party will derail democracy, adding that The constitution says Kenya shall be a multi-party state. ANC leaders have maintained the same claim that they will remain independent and plan to conduct grassroots registration.

“We are not going to fold our party. If anything, we are planning to rejuvenate and strengthen our party from grassroots levels. ANC will remain vibrant,” Timamy said.