Mudavadi's ANC merges with UDA

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has been dropped as the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) deputy party leader following its merger with Amani National Congress (ANC).

Prof Kindiki had been elevated as UDA deputy party leader on November 11 to occupy the slot that fell vacant after the impeachment of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who was kicked out of the ruling party as a consequence.

“The national executive committee notes: That by virtue of the resolution of the National Assembly and the vote of the Senate and by operation of Articles 75 (3) and145 (7) of the Constitution of Kenya as read together with Article 8.2.19 of the UDA Party Constitution, HE Rigathi Gachagua is unable to perform the duties of the office of Deputy Party Leader and subsequently ceases to hold office as Deputy Party leader,” National Executive Council announced on that November day.

The decision to drop Kindiki was made public yesterday by Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire who serves as UDA’s chairperson. Ms Mbarire also announced the incorporation of ANC officials in UDA’s leadership.

In the new changes, Lamu Governor Issa Timamy will be UDA’s Deputy Party Leader, Kelvin Lunani will serve as Mbarire's Vice-chairperson and Omboko Milemba will serve as UDA Secretary General Hassan Omar’s deputy.

According to Mbarire, the ruling party’s secretariat will incorporate the ANC’s people and the UDA party will also change the name in its branding.

READ: UDA and ANC merge to form a unified political party

“The party has incorporated ANC’s identity symbols in the logo, imagery, topography brand of the newly merged party and shall resultantly undertake a myriad of other changes in its governance and operations,” Mbarire said.

She said the merger plans that started last year in June had been blocked by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua who established bottlenecks and “traps everywhere”. She hailed Kindiki for removing the stumbling blocks.

“The UDA party shall undertake merger activities, including harmonisation of the core values, rebranding membership recruitment drive, among other post-merger activities. We have also formed a merger committee that will ensure that, within 90 days, all these activities will happen and the pre-merger accrued coalition benefits and commitments in the Kenya Kwanza coalition have been integrated into the merged party and shall be utilised for the advancement of the merged party’s objectives,” she said.

Mbarire said the party had agreed on the transition implementation and monitoring of all the undertakings of the merger agreement to ensure full implementation and compliance.

“The new merged and stronger party will therefore embark on a renewed fundamental aspiration to promote inclusive democracy and build a robust political party that transcends the political landscape of our nation generations and government administrations,” she said.

ALSO READ: UDA and ANC parties form committee for merger talks

According to the Political Parties Act 2011, a merger is the combination of two or more political parties into a single party which could be new or existing.

“The political party follows its constitution and procedures and decides to merge. The merger agreement is then signed and deposited with the Registrar within twenty-one days of the signing,” Section 11 of the Act states.

Former UDA Secretary General Cleophas Malala, however, dismissed the move saying UDA officials did not adhere to the laid down legal procedures.

“What we saw yesterday was a shortcut as they tried to administer painkillers to a dying patient. The parties have failed to honour their promise to the people and they are trying to play gimmicks,” Malala said.