No party swallowed in ANC-UDA merger, officials say

The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party leadership has begun a countrywide popularisation programme before unveiling the new party’s name, look and feel following its merger with the Amani National Congress (ANC) party last week.

UDA took its first meeting to Busia County on Tuesday where they met over 700 delegates and members drawn from the President William Ruto-led party and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi’s ANC.

UDA vice-chairperson Kelvin Lunani led the officials at the meeting accompanied by Teso South MP Mary Emaase and lawyer Alutalala Mukhwana. Lunani said the session was informative and a sign of new beginnings in the journey to unite Kenyans.

“We have come here with a clear message from our party leader President Ruto: that Kenya has to move along together as a united country. Together as a people, we must reflect on the shared and common ideals on the primacy of economic empowerment, peace and development,” said Lunani.

Emaase added: “We are reaching out to all our supporters and assuring them that we are forging a united front that will 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.”

The discussions seek to update members on the latest developments surrounding the merger and laying the foundation for a seamless transition.

Mukhwana noted that no party has lost its identity to the other in the union.

“This merger was by amalgamation. Until the lapse of the statutory 21 days 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,” he said.

“Kenyans should not anticipate any by-election on grounds that there is a legislator who will automatically lose his or her seat in this process.”

Following last Friday’s merger, UDA Chairperson Cecily Mbarire said the party’s internal structures and leadership, as well as the Kenya Kwanza coalition at large, would be changed.

The UDA faction’s name, logo, symbol and overall brand are some of the elements set for an overhaul.

ANC Party Leader and Lamu Governor Issa Timamy will become UDA Deputy Party Leader while ANC Chairperson Kelvin Lunani will deputise Mbarire as Vice Chairman.

At the same time, Emuhaya MP Omboko Milemba will deputise UDA Secretary General Hassan Omar.

UDA further said it would onboard ANC’s secretariat, including directors and top-level leadership.

Governor Mbarire said a merger committee had been formed to ensure all activities are completed within 90 days.