President William Ruto, who is also the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Party leader, has hinted at a possible merger between the ruling party and the Amani National Congress (ANC).
Ruto held talks with ANC leaders, including Party Leader Issa Timamy (Lamu governor), Secretary-General Omboko Milemba (Emuhaya MP), and National Chairman Kelvin Lunani.
In a statement after the meeting, Ruto emphasized the importance of having strong political parties in Kenya’s political landscape.
The President explained that parties are the foundation of national unity and strong democratic governance.
“To consolidate their role in democracy, political parties must cease being mere election vehicles and become the rallying point for national cohesion and transformation,” Ruto said.
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, UDA Chairperson Cecily Mbarire, UDA Secretary-General Cleophas Malala, and National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah were also present.
Mudavadi Announces Merger
The announcement comes two weeks after Mudavadi announced that ANC was engaged in merger talks with the UDA party. Mudavadi said the Constitution allows parties to come together for the common good.
Mudavadi slammed ANC supporters who were against the move, urging them to learn from their doubts when he joined Kenya Kwanza before the 2022 elections.
“There are talks about a merger which is allowed through the Political Parties Act,” he said. Besides, he explained that the decision was well-informed and crucial for future political alignment.
“When I tell you ANC is in talks for a merger, don’t think it’s something small; we are planning for the future,” he said.
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How This Will Affect Ruto & Gachagua
Speaking to The Kenya Times, governance expert and political analyst Javas Arafat Bigambo said the dissolution of ANC will interfere with the power structure of UDA.
He explained that the entry of Mudavadi will destabilize DP Rigathi Gachagua, who already appears 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.”
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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Raila Odinga Impact
However, Bigambo stated that Mudavadi risks losing some ANC members who may choose alternative parties in the next polls.
Bigambo explained that the move might also allow Mudavadi to inherit the support of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, especially in Western Province.
“If Raila will have a working relationship with Ruto, then it will strengthen Mudavadi since the opposition leader has never been at war with Mudavadi. Therefore, Mudavadi may inherit a huge chunk of Raila’s political estate,” Bigambo said.
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