By Anyango Sylvia
The Amani national congress party (ANC) has formally approved the merger proposal with the United Democratic Alliance party (UDA).
According to a press release by ANC party,the approval of the merger is a result of a meeting which was convened by the Amani council and elected leaders of ANC party held in Lamu county.
“The crucial meeting was hosted in Lamu County on 3rd August 2024, by H.E the Governor of Lamu County and ANC party leader Issa Timamy.This gathering,which brought together over 140 members of the Amani Concil,elected Mps and MCAs of the party,resulted in formal resolutions in line with the party’s constitution,formally approving the merger between the two parties,” read the statement.
The move now strengthens President William Ruto’s political muscles as he now will secure a better part of the western region to the UDA party.
The ANC party on its part has pledged to unequivocally support the government to ensure national peace and unity.
Led by ANC party leader Issa Timami, the party reiterated that it’s barely two years since the Kenya kwanza took office and the country’s political roadmaps have been shifted to support the government.
The leaders claim that it’s only prudent and safe if the party secures its position in UDA ahead of the 2027 general elections through a merger.
According to political analyst,this merger is considered to be a stepping stone for Ruto’s broad-based government with minimal opposition.
Just like the deputy president Rigathi Gachagua is in the UDA party without having his own political party, prime cabinet secretary Musalia Mudavadi as the founder of ANC will also follow the suit.
The move will see both the members of parliament from the western region and the Mt. Kenya region support the government.
As this unfolds, the orange democratic movement (ODM) is also inclined to support the government after the head of state nominated 5 cabinet secretaries from ODM to serve in his government.
The move has weakened the opposition in the country as the nominees were seen supporting the contentious bills and government proposals they were strongly opposing while out of government.
With the affiliation of parties to the government, the country now risks shrinking the democracy space by making the president so powerful to take any critic.