Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has said it was tactical and strategic for ANC Party to fold and join the ruling party UDA ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Mudavadi said that the decision to merge ANC with UDA is not a gamble, as it is critical for President William Ruto’s re-election bid.
The Prime CS said the at least 2.2 million plus strong political bastion of Western Kenya is key to President Ruto’s re-election, and as part of consolidating the region’s support it was deemed prudent to have a unified front moving into the 2027 elections.
He, however, maintained that for the time being, each party will maintain its identity until the merger is complete.
“I want to tell off the critics that from where I sit, the decisions we talk about and the moves I take are always tough and extremely complex. I never go for populist decisions as many would imagine, and this one too holds water,” Mudavadi said.
“This merger is by amalgamation. Until the lapse of all steps in accordance with the Political Parties Act, each party shall still retain its identity, as no party has been swallowed by the other. Thereafter, the merger, by amalgamation, shall be deemed binding.”
This comes a few days after Mudavadi acknowledged Ruto as his party leader during the recent development tour of the Western Kenya region by the Head of State.
He said that Kenya has to move along together as a united country irrespective of the regional leadership representation.
The Prime CS explained to the Western Kenya electorate that the broader decision is based on a long-term perspective and not short time gains.
Western Kenya is made up of Kakamega, Vihiga, Bungoma, and Busia counties.
“We had a conversation about elevating our partnership from a coalition point of view. The unity of parties therefore becomes important in trying to solidify crucial decisions for the benefit of moving the country forward and service delivery to the citizens. Together, we must reflect on the shared and common ideals on the primacy of economic empowerment, peace and development,” Mudavadi said.
He, however, told off critics of the merger, insisting that one does not have to be a party leader to be able to negotiate from a vantage point.
Mudavadi said one can negotiate very effectively from a point of persuasion by identifying policies that will impact the lives of citizens and expounding on the plan that is realistic and achievable.
He said that as his bandwagon joins UDA, they have to give Kenyans hope for the future.
“We will be soon reaching out to all our supporters both in the ANC and UDA, recruiting more members through our ideological approach and assuring them that we are forging a united front that will further deliver this country to a new frontier. Soon there will be no ANC and no UDA, we will have a new baby, with a new name, a new face and a new future,” he said.
Mudavadi added that with the broad-based approach, more political re-alignments will emerge soon.
