In a significant political realignment, President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance Party (UDA) has officially merged with the Amani National Congress (ANC) to form a unified political entity under the UDA banner. The announcement was made during a high-profile event held at State House, Nairobi, on Friday, presided over by President Ruto and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi.
The merger marks the culmination of a lengthy process aimed at consolidating Kenya Kwanza’s political base and streamlining leadership structures to enhance inclusivity and governance.
Key Leadership Changes in the Unified UDA
The merger brings several significant changes to UDA’s leadership, with top officials from ANC integrated into key positions in the new structure:
- Issa Timamy:
- Former ANC Party Leader and current Lamu Governor, Mr. Timamy has been appointed as one of the Deputy Party Leaders of the unified UDA.
- Kelvin Lunani:
- Former ANC Chairperson, Mr. Lunani will now serve as the Vice-Chairperson of the new UDA Party.
- Omboko Milemba:
- The former Secretary-General of ANC and current MP for Emuhaya, Mr. Milemba, has been appointed as the Deputy Secretary-General of UDA.
Statements from UDA Leadership
Cecily Mbarire, UDA Chairperson
Ms. Mbarire, who also serves as the Governor of Embu County, highlighted the collaborative efforts that led to the merger.
- On Resolving Challenges:
“We are extremely happy as UDA that finally, we have come to the end of this process, which was delayed because of bottlenecks and challenges. When Deputy President Kithure Kindiki took office as UDA Deputy Party Leader, he provided the leadership that resolved these issues.” - On Integration:
Mbarire revealed that former ANC officials would not only assume leadership roles but also integrate into the UDA secretariat. ANC’s structures and organizational frameworks will be seamlessly merged into UDA. - Future Plans:
The party will embark on initiatives such as:- Harmonization of shared values.
- Rebranding and membership recruitment drives.
- Post-merger transition and monitoring efforts.
Musalia Mudavadi, Prime Cabinet Secretary
Mudavadi, who had relinquished his position as ANC Party Leader to Mr. Timamy upon joining the Kenya Kwanza government in 2022, reiterated his commitment to the success of the merger and praised the unified vision of inclusivity and democracy.
Pre-Merger Commitments and Shared Values
The UDA Chairperson assured that pre-merger benefits and commitments outlined in the Kenya Kwanza coalition agreement would be honored under the new party framework. This integration will drive the objectives of the unified party while ensuring continuity and inclusivity.
Focus on Key Aspirations
The newly unified UDA aims to:
- Promote inclusivity and democracy.
- Build a robust political party that extends beyond electoral cycles and government structures.
- Strengthen its capacity to serve as a vehicle for transformative governance.
Strategic Objectives Moving Forward
The merger aligns with UDA’s broader goals of consolidating political power and fostering a unified agenda for national development. Among the activities planned post-merger are:
- Membership Expansion:
A national recruitment drive to bolster the party’s grassroots presence. - Rebranding Efforts:
A unified party identity to reflect the shared values and vision of the merger. - Policy Harmonization:
Integration of ANC’s policy priorities with UDA’s strategic objectives. - Capacity Building:
Strengthening party structures to ensure effective implementation of its transformative agenda.
A Unified Political Future
The merger of UDA and ANC symbolizes a pivotal moment in Kenya’s political landscape. By integrating key leaders and aligning pre-merger commitments, the new UDA aims to enhance governance, foster national unity, and build a sustainable political framework.
With President Ruto and Prime Cabinet Secretary Mudavadi at the helm, the unified UDA sets the stage for a more inclusive and coordinated approach to addressing Kenya’s challenges and advancing its development goals.
