Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Kenyans.co.ke
Published on 2024-03-17 04:44:08
United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Secretary General Cleophas Malalah has refuted claims of banning politicians within his party from appearing in media interviews alongside Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna. The former Kakamega Senator dismissed a circulating press release on social media alleging that he had issued such a directive in his capacity as Secretary General.
Malalah urged people to ignore the fake circulation and consider it as fabricated misinformation. The fake press release accused media houses of colluding to portray UDA politicians as intellectually inferior when compared to Senator Sifuna during interviews and talk shows.
The issue stemmed from a perception that Sifuna comes across as more intellectually superior when engaging with UDA politicians in public forums. The fake release claimed that to avoid further embarrassment, UDA members were instructed not to appear alongside Senator Sifuna in any show, regardless of the hosting media house. Politicians were advised to verify if Sifuna was part of any show they were invited to and decline the invitation if he was.
The alleged directive was attributed to the party’s desire to align with the ideologies of President William Ruto in a way that minimizes embarrassment and humiliation to the party and its leadership. Notably, UDA politicians have faced ridicule in the past when they have been overshadowed by Senator Sifuna during discussions on complex issues regarding the new regime.
In a notable incident in February, Sifuna clashed with Tana River Senator Danson Mungatana, who is aligned with UDA, over accusations of Ruto being dishonest and making inaccurate statements. During a live TV interview, Sifuna stood his ground against Mungatana’s attempts to censor his remarks about Ruto, highlighting the tensions within the political landscape.
The party’s efforts to control the narrative and project a unified front were evident as Malalah, accompanied by party members including Brenda Majune, held a press briefing on March 15, 2023. The party’s commitment to upholding its values and representing President Ruto’s ideologies without facing public embarrassment was reiterated during the event.
Despite the controversy surrounding the alleged ban on joint appearances with Senator Sifuna, UDA remains focused on advancing its agenda and strengthening its position within the political arena. The party continues to navigate through challenges and strive to communicate its message effectively to the public.
In conclusion, the refutation by Cleophas Malalah serves to clarify the party’s stance on media engagements and dispel misinformation regarding restrictions on politicians appearing alongside Senator Sifuna. UDA’s commitment to upholding its values while engaging in the public discourse reflects its dedication to serving its constituents and contributing to the political landscape of Kenya.
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