The Amani National Congress (ANC) has unveiled plans to merge with President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party, signaling a strategic shift to enhance political influence ahead of the 2027 elections. The move reflects a proactive approach to adapting to Kenya’s evolving political landscape, according to top ANC leaders.
Strategic Political Realignment
Former party leader and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi emphasized the necessity of evolving with the changing political environment. “When we began this conversation on the merger, I said we are in a coalition pegged on three parties: UDA, ANC, and Ford Kenya,” Mudavadi stated.
Mudavadi explained that the merger aims to position the party strategically for the upcoming 2027 polls. “I also said, as we move closer to 2027, the political environment will be different from that of 2022. We have not even reached 2027, and the political environment has changed. It is not going to be the same,” he noted.
To maintain negotiating power in the 2027 political landscape, Mudavadi stressed the importance of forming alliances with formidable teams. “It is important to look ahead because, in 2027, the negotiating arrangement will be different. That is how I want to appeal to you as we go forward. Let us support the president; it is the right thing to do and for the country,” he opined.
Details of the Merger Plans
ANC Party Leader and Lamu Governor Issa Timamy shared insights from a recent meeting where party members and leaders deliberated on the merger plans. “We invited Musalia Mudavadi to our meeting as the guest of honour. In the meeting, we had all elected members of the party and other leaders of the party.”
“The agenda of our meeting today was to involve our leaders in the plan to merge with the UDA party led by President William Ruto. We have had successful talks, and we have agreed in unison to merge with UDA. As the party leader, I have been given the responsibility to lead the task force of our party that will meet the UDA side for the merger talks,” Timamy announced.
Timamy emphasized that the decision to merge was reached collectively and voluntarily, assuring that the move aligns with the party constitution. “We have fulfilled the requirements as outlined by the party constitution, and what is remaining is talks with the team from the UDA party. Nobody has been coerced to support this move; we have made a collective decision to support the President in bringing development to the country and driving the Nation forward,” he added.
Support from ANC Leaders
Beatrice Adagala, Deputy Party Leader of ANC, expressed the enthusiasm of the ANC women’s movement for the merger. “On behalf of the women of ANC, we are proud to merge with UDA. The way we have been working, the ANC women’s movement wants to steer to the next level immediately after we merge so that His Excellency William Ruto can take the next five years to make it ten come 2027. We are supporting this move; we are saying Kenya is one,” Adagala stated.
Omboko Milemba, Secretary General of ANC and Emuhaya MP, echoed these sentiments, highlighting the unified direction of the party. “We have met here as the holders of the party and other leaders within our structures, we have also met all the elected leaders, and we have also invited our former party leader.”
“We have had a great talk, and we are moving forward in our merger plans and arrangements between the ANC and the UDA party. Today was a session for us to team build, and we have agreed that this is the direction to take to unite Kenya,” Milemba stated.
A Unified Political Front
The merger marks a significant step in consolidating political power ahead of the 2027 elections. President William Ruto and Musalia Mudavadi previously joined forces on January 23, 2022, in a landmark political alliance with National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula and his political vehicle, Ford Kenya. This merger further solidifies the coalition’s influence in Kenya’s political arena, aiming to drive national development and foster unity across the country.
As the ANC and UDA prepare for the merger, the political landscape in Kenya is set to undergo a transformative shift, with the coalition positioning itself as a formidable force in the lead-up to the 2027 elections.
