Ruto spells out merger plans for Kenya Kwanza parties ahead of 2027 polls
President William Ruto received by his Deputy Rigathi Gachagua, UDA SG Cleophas Malala and National Assembly Majority leader Kimani Ichung'wah among other leaders when he arrived at the Bomas of Kenya on Friday.
President William Ruto has thrown his weight behind plans to fold Kenya Kwanza member parties to form a political juggernaut for his 2027 re-election bid.
President Ruto said his United Democratic Alliance (UDA) would engage all affiliates through consensus building to have them under one party.
He ruled out coercion in the merger exercise even as he hinted that his UDA would find ways of working with parties opposed to the plan.
“We want your green light to find how they can work with us by joining so that we can have a strong party. It is not a must that they join us as I have heard some people say," said Dr Ruto.
"Those willing will join and those who don't want we will find a way of working with them going forward,” he explained.
At least seven parties, including National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula's Ford Kenya and the Amani National Congress (ANC) of former Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, have in the past rejected dissolution plans.
Merger plan
Some of the parties cited a lack of consultation in the merger plan.
At the same time, the fringe parties in the ruling alliance have also accused President Ruto of sidelining them in key government appointments.
According to sources, the majority of the 13 member parties have not been rewarded for their role in the 2022 campaign, a year after President Ruto came to power.
Apart from UDA, the Kenya Kwanza Alliance includes ANC, Ford Kenya, EFP, DP, Chama Cha Kazi, Communist Party of Kenya, The Service Party of MP Mwangi Kiunjuri, Tujibebe Wakenya Party of former Kiambu governor William Kabogo, Farmers Party of Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (Kemsa) board chairman Irungu Nyakera, Devolution Party of Kenya and Umoja na Maendeleo Party.
Also in the alliance are the National Agenda Party of Kenya, Grand Dream Development Party, Senator Ali Roba's UDM and former Bomet governor Isaac Ruto's Chama Cha Mashinani.
