The Amani National Congress (ANC), founded by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, has agreed to merge with the United Democratic Movement (UDA) party.
In a statement on Wednesday, June 19, the party issued a statement indicating that the move was agreed upon by both the party leaders and the UDA leaders to foster stronger national unity.
The party was previously led by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi but was taken over by Lamu Governor Issa Timamy.
Further, the party indicated that the decision was made after a meeting with President William Ruto at state House and other leaders, where members discussed progressive democratic governance.
![William Ruto](https://thekenyatimes.com/storage/2024/06/anc-1-750x375.jpg)
“The meeting extensively and exhaustively discussed the impending merger between ANC and UDA, with the two parties agreeing that the move will foster stronger national unity and progressive democratic governance.
“ANC and UDA both agreed and resolved to form a joint implementation committee comprising of both political and legal minds to expedite the merger process,” the statement read in part.
Also Read: Ruto Signals Death of Mudavadi’s Party Ahead of 2027 Polls
William Ruto Speaks After UDA and ANC Merge
Speaking during the meeting, President William Ruto stated that the move will d lead to transformative progress for the nation.
According to him, consolidating political parties will reduce internal conflicts and give room for effective service delivery to the citizens.
Additionally, he revealed that the discussion on merging the parties had begun a while back and the Prime Cabinet Secretary aimed to build a more cohesive and united Kenya.
“President William Ruto affirmed his unwavering dedication to the national interest and the need for Kenya to maintain a trajectory of economic reform, which though currently painful, would yield fruits,
“The two political parties affirmed that combining the strengths, resources, and expertise will create a formidable political force better equipped to address national challenges,” the statement read in part.
Also Read: Gachagua Ally Beaten Up for Supporting DP as UDA MPs Watch
Experts Speak on the Impact of the Merger
Speaking to The Kenya Times earlier, governance expert and political analyst Javas Arafat Bigambo opined that the dissolution of ANC will interfere with the power structure of UDA.
According to him, Mudavadi will destabilize the position of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua in the party, yet he is already unsettled in the ruling party.
“The culmination of the merger between ANC and UDA profoundly ushers Mudavadi into the ruling party, which has a disruptive effect on the original UDA power structure and arrangements,” he said.
“His entry creates a second center of power below Ruto, which is far from Gachagua, when we look at it post-Ruto’s era.”
In addition, Bigambo said the move reveals that Mudavadi acknowledges UDA’s political superiority and will shape Ruto’s succession politics.
“He has to play an absolute loyalty card within UDA to win the trust and confidence of Ruto and other power barons within UDA so that he can be in the succession matrix without being seen as a stranger,” the analyst said.
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![Mudavadi and Ruto on UDA and ANC](https://thekenyatimes.com/storage/2024/06/anc-2-750x375.jpg)
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