The United Democratic Alliance (UDA), led by President William Ruto, has officially merged with the Amani National Congress (ANC), a party associated with Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi. The merger was announced in a press briefing at State House by UDA Chairperson, Governor Cecily Mbarire, marking a significant political development in Kenya.
The newly formed political entity will retain the name “United Democratic Alliance Party,” though it will undergo a rebranding process, which includes changes to its logo and other brand identities, according to Mbarire. As a result of this merger, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki will no longer hold the position of deputy leader of the ruling party.
Key leadership changes following the merger include:
- Kelvin Lunani, previously the ANC chairperson, has been appointed as the UDA Vice Chairperson.
- Omboko Milemba, the former ANC Secretary-General, will now serve as UDA’s Deputy Secretary-General.
- Issa Timamy, former ANC Party Leader, has been named Deputy Party Leader of the new formation.
- Milemba will also work alongside Sen. Hassan Omar as the new Secretary-General.
Additionally, three former ANC officials have been appointed as new UDA Directors to strengthen the party’s leadership.
The merger, which was witnessed by both President William Ruto and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, also saw Mudavadi relinquish ANC’s party leadership to Timamy after his inclusion in the Kenya Kwanza government.
Mbarire outlined that the merger would incorporate ANC’s identity symbols into UDA’s new logo, imagery, and branding. This process, she stated, would be finalized within 90 days, with a merger committee already formed to oversee the transition.
Mbarire also highlighted the obstacles faced in finalizing the merger, attributing delays to challenges within the ruling party and referencing past remarks made by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua regarding “shareholding” and “traps” at State House. However, she credited Deputy Party Leader Kindiki for unlocking the process and ensuring its completion.
“The UDA party is no longer the party that locked out the rest of the nation. We are no longer a party of shareholding. This is the face of a united Kenya where everyone needs to be,” Mbarire emphasized.
This merger comes after months of negotiations and is expected to strengthen the ruling party within the Kenya Kwanza coalition, particularly as the government prepares for the 2027 general elections. Despite challenges such as growing discontent among Kenyans and the impeachment of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, the merger is seen as a strategic move to broaden the party’s base and solidify its influence.
The new leadership lineup, however, has drawn attention to the issue of gender representation, with Mbarire being the only prominent woman in the leadership ranks, raising questions about the party’s commitment to the 2/3 gender rule and women’s leadership in Kenyan politics.
