Six political parties affiliated with the Kenya Kwanza coalition have dissolved and joined the United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
UDA interim Secretary General Cleophas Malala on Tuesday, March 14, 2023, announced the six folding up to join them.
In a media briefing at the Hustlers Centre in Nairobi, Malala said the parties will now be part of the UDA family.
“They are no longer partners but part of the UDA family. They will participate in all our UDA activities including the ongoing membership registration drive, and the upcoming party grassroots elections come August,” Malala said in a statement posted on the UDA’s verified Twitter handle.
“I, therefore, encourage them to advise their members to take up an active role in building our great party,” he added.
Among the parties that have joined UDA is Chama cha Mashinani, founded by former Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto.
Others are Chama cha Kazi whose founder is Trade and Investment Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria as well as the Farmers Party and Umoja na Maendeleo party of former Embu Governor Martin Wambora.
ANC, Ford Kenya against merger
The National Agenda Party of Kenya and the Economic Freedom Party are others that have joined UDA.
The latest decision comes at a time Malala has been pushing for the folding up of all Kenya Kwanza affiliates to join UDA.
However, the push for the parties to merge has been opposed by founding members of the Kenya Kwanza coalition – Amani National Congress (ANC) and Ford Kenya.
ANC Party leader Issa Timamy last week insisted they have no plan of folding up.
“This is an independent party and shall remain so. As ANC we remain respectful and committed to working with the Kenya Kwanza government and that’s just about it. We remain part of the coalition but still reserve the right to our independence as a party,” Timamy said, in response to Malala.
Similar sentiments have been shared by Bungoma Senator David Wafula.
Wafula was elected on a Ford Kenya ticket in a by-election to replace party leader Moses Wetangula who resigned to take up the National Assembly Speaker position.
“Sisi kama chama cha FORD Kenya, tunanyenzo hadi vitongojini mwa nchi ya Kenya. Kwa hivyo haitawezekana ata siku moja kuamka asubuhi na kubwata kuwa tunakivunja chama,” Wafula told journalists in Bungoma town.
