After a dismal performance in the 2013 general elections, former Vice President Musalia Mudavadi found himself politically isolated. Having distanced himself from both Raila Odinga’s ODM and Uhuru Kenyatta’s Jubilee, Mudavadi faced a daunting task: rebuild his relevance on the national stage. He chose to do so by forming the Amani National Congress (ANC)—a party that would become the foundation of his renewed efforts. The journey of ANC Mudavadi post-2013 politics is one of reinvention, resilience, and regional realignment.
2013: A Political Miscalculation
In 2013, Mudavadi ran for President on a United Democratic Forum (UDF) ticket, part of a short-lived alliance known as the Amani Coalition. His campaign was overshadowed by the larger narratives dominated by Jubilee and CORD (ODM–Wiper–Ford-Kenya).
With less than 5% of the national vote, Mudavadi emerged a distant third. Worse still, the Western Kenya vote, which he had hoped to consolidate, was largely captured by Raila Odinga.
The result forced Mudavadi into a period of political reflection.
Birth of the Amani National Congress (ANC)
In 2015, Mudavadi launched the ANC Party as a vehicle to revive his influence and provide a Luhya-centered political platform. The new party aimed to:
- Reclaim Western Kenya’s political voice.
- Build a moderate, issue-based alternative to ODM and Jubilee.
- Position Mudavadi as a neutral unifier in future coalitions.
The name “Amani,” meaning peace, was strategic—projecting Mudavadi as a non-combative statesman amid Kenya’s often fractious political class.
The 2017 NASA Coalition and Temporary Resurgence
ANC joined the National Super Alliance (NASA) in the lead-up to the 2017 general elections, alongside ODM, Wiper, and Ford-Kenya. Though Raila Odinga was the coalition’s presidential candidate, Mudavadi played a crucial role as co-principal and coalition strategist.
In Western Kenya:
- ANC secured several parliamentary seats, including in Vihiga, Lugari, and Sabatia.
- Mudavadi became the face of Luhya unity, working with Moses Wetang’ula to counter ODM’s dominance.
Despite NASA’s eventual defeat and internal disputes, Mudavadi regained national visibility as a calm and reasoned opposition leader.
Post-2017: Navigating a Fragmented Opposition
Following the 2018 “Handshake” between Raila Odinga and President Uhuru Kenyatta, NASA effectively collapsed. Mudavadi and his ANC party refused to join the new political arrangement, choosing instead to:
- Criticize the handshake for undermining opposition oversight.
- Position ANC as an independent opposition voice.
- Focus on grassroots mobilization in Western Kenya.
Mudavadi was vocal on issues like corruption, public debt, and governance, further distancing himself from both ODM and Jubilee.
2022 Realignment and the Kenya Kwanza Gamble
In a bold move ahead of the 2022 elections, Mudavadi abandoned the One Kenya Alliance (OKA) and joined forces with William Ruto’s UDA to form the Kenya Kwanza Alliance. This shocked many of his supporters, especially in Vihiga and Kakamega, where anti-Ruto sentiment was strong.
Despite criticism, Mudavadi argued that:
- Luhyas could no longer remain politically passive.
- Joining Kenya Kwanza would ensure Western Kenya was part of the winning team.
In the aftermath of Ruto’s presidential victory, Mudavadi was appointed Prime Cabinet Secretary, placing him back at the center of power.
Conclusion
The ANC Mudavadi post-2013 politics journey is one of strategic recalibration. From isolation in 2013 to a key coalition player in 2017, and finally to national power in 2022, Mudavadi has proven politically adaptive. The ANC Party, though still young, has served as both a symbol of regional pride and a springboard for national ambition.
Whether this trajectory cements his long-term legacy or positions him for another presidential bid remains to be seen—but his quest for relevance is no longer in question.
