Questions Abound as Malala Skips Ruto’s PG Meeting in the House of Representatives Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai sparked a flurry of questions after notably absenting herself from Deputy President William Ruto’s Parliamentary Group (PG) meeting in the House of Representatives on Tuesday. Ruto, who is also the leader of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), had invited Malala, a vocal advocate for girls’ education, to join his political caucus. However, Malala declined the invitation, citing her commitment to her non-profit organization, Malala Fund. Her absence from the meeting raised eyebrows, especially given her previous support for Ruto’s bid for the presidency in 2017. Some political observers questioned Malala’s motivation for skipping the meeting and whether it signaled a shift in her political allegiances. Critics suggested that Malala’s decision was motivated by dissatisfaction with Ruto’s perceived authoritarianism and his alleged involvement in corruption scandals. Others, however, defended Malala’s choice, emphasizing her focus on her humanitarian work and her desire to remain politically neutral. The National Assembly Minority Leader, John Mbadi, stated that Malala’s absence did not indicate any political tension between her and Ruto. Instead, he attributed her decision to her busy schedule and the fact that she was not yet a member of the United Democratic Alliance. Despite these explanations, Malala’s absence from the PG meeting has left room for speculation. Some believe it signifies a cooling of relations between the two, while others view it as an indication of Malala’s commitment to her independent stance on political matters. As the 2022 general elections approach, Malala’s political affiliations and her role in the upcoming campaigns remain uncertain. Her absence from Ruto’s PG meeting has only added to the intrigue and raised further questions about her intentions.UDA Secretary-General’s Absence Raises QuestionsUDA Secretary-General’s Absence Raises Questions The absence of Acting United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Secretary-General Cleophas Malala from a crucial Kenya Kwanza parliamentary group meeting on Tuesday has sparked speculation and highlighted internal disputes within the ruling party. The meeting, convened by President William Ruto, aimed to discuss the controversial Finance Bill 2024 ahead of its tabling in Parliament. Malala was among senior party officials expected to attend but inexplicably snubbed the meeting. According to sources, Malala was invited and had a special seat reserved for him at the meeting, next to Vice President Rigathi Gachagua and Senator Bony Khalwale. However, efforts to contact him for comment have been unsuccessful. The UDA leadership has not yet officially addressed Malala’s absence, but initial reports suggest scheduling conflicts. Further investigations, however, have uncovered growing tensions within the party’s leadership, potentially stemming from internal disagreements. Malala’s absence comes at a critical time as the party prepares for elections to elect new officials. He has recently faced hostility over his handling of party affairs, including a petition calling for his expulsion for alleged misconduct. The petition, filed by Joseph Khalende, president of the founding members’ association, cites Malala’s alleged defiance of the party leadership and interference in popular elections, leading to divisions within the party. “In the immediate and primary interest of safeguarding our Party, we hereby request the National Executive Committee to immediately suspend and expel Cleophas Malala,” the petition states. It remains to be seen how Malala’s absence will affect his position within the UDA and whether the party will take action against him based on the allegations raised in the petition.Malala Yousafzai, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate and education activist, declined an invitation to meet with Kenyan President William Ruto at the Parliament House on September 29th. Malala’s absence sparked speculation and raised questions about the reasons behind her decision. Some observers suggested that she may have had scheduling conflicts or concerns about Ruto’s policies. However, Malala’s team has not issued an official statement explaining her absence. Ruto, who has been in office for less than a year, has faced criticism for his handling of various issues, including press freedom and human rights. Malala, who is known for her advocacy for girls’ education and human rights, has previously expressed concern about the erosion of democratic values in certain countries. The meeting between Ruto and Malala was expected to focus on education, youth empowerment, and other issues of mutual interest. Malala’s decision to skip the meeting has left many wondering about the future of her relationship with the Kenyan government.