President William Ruto faces a litmus test as he pushes for the dissolution of constituent parties within Kenya Kwanza Alliance to unite under the banner of his United Democratic Alliance Party (UDA).
Politicians from UDA have constantly mounted pressure on other parties within the Alliance to fold and join the ruling party.
In the run up to the 2022 general elections, President Ruto constantly criticized the ‘small’ political parties.
According to Ruto, the parties promote ethnic divisions in the country justifying his call for a national party.
“Those advocating for parties created for specific regions and tribes right now have an intention to divide Kenyans so that only few people continue having the last say,” said President during the campaigns.
Moreover, President Ruto announced his plans to form a political party bigger than former ruling party Jubilee during a recent tour to Nyeri County.
“We are going to make sure we build a national political party that is going to unite the country so that we can eliminate ethnic politics and change it to politics around issues,” said Ruto.
Further, National Assembly majority leader Kimani Ichung’wah said the intention of the president is to make UDA a national and vibrant political party.
Mudavadi & Wetagula
However, despite the constant pressure from President Ruto and the UDA leadership, five politicians holding key posts in Kenya Kwanza government have refused to heed the calls.
Speaking to the media on Thursday, September 28, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi opposed the call for dissolution.
Mudavadi, who handed over the Amani National Congress (ANC) party leadership to Lamu Governor Issa Timamy, said there are more critical issues to be addressed.
Also Read: Why Ruto is at Will to Dump Mudavadi & Wetangula – Analysts
“This kind of debate is not new, I think going forward what we should be looking for is how we can strengthen political parties,” said Mudavadi.
This comes a few weeks after UDA Secretary General Cleophas Malala indirectly called ANC as a village party.
Additionally, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula has not folded his Ford Kenya Party.
Wetangula who still serves as the party leader has not openly addressed the ongoing debates in Kenya Kwanza Alliance.
According to reports, Ford Kenya is also planning a national recruitment drive ahead of the next general elections implying that Wetangula has no plans to join UDA.
Others Yet to Join UDA
Additionally, Attorney General Justin Muturi has not yet dissolved his Democratic Party (DP).
Muturi who was endorsed as DP party leader in February 2022 has not officially resigned from this position.
Further, the Attorney General has not folded DP and joined UDA as directed the president.
Also on the list is Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua who heads the Maendeleo Chap Chap party.
CS Mutua has equally not commented in the ongoing dissolution calls by UDA officials.
In addition, Senate Speaker Amason Kingi has also neither dissolved the Pamoja African Alliance (PAA) nor resigned as the party leader.
According to information from PAA website as of 11am, Friday September 29, the Senate speaker is still the official party leader.
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Parties that joined UDA
In March 2023, Malala announced that six political parties already folded and joined the UDA party.
The parties included: Umoja na Maendeleo Party led by former Embu Governor Martin Wambora, Farmers Party of Kenya led by former PS Irungu Nyakera, Economic Freedom Party led by Isaac Hassan Abey, Chama cha Mashinani led by Mohammed Gulei, National Agenda Party led by Alfayo Agufana and Chama cha Kazi affiliated to Trade CS Moses Kuria.
