NAIROBI, Kenya – Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi is finding himself in a catch-22 situation after his Amani National Congress (ANC) party folded and merged with the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
Following the merger in early 2025, a section of Members of County Assembly (MCAs) elected on Mudavadi’s former party have found a new home in other political outfits as the clock ticks towards the 2027 General Election.
For instance, this week, the Ford Kenya party officially welcomed two prominent MCAs from Nandi County, signalling a new wave of political realignments following the dissolution of the ANC party.
Ford Kenya party’s Secretary General John Chikati received Eliud Kirongo (Kapkangani ward), who also doubles as the minority leader in the Nandi County assembly, and Geoffrey Kevolwe (Kiptuya ward), who is also the minority whip in the Nandi County assembly.
The defectors were welcomed on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, at the Ford Kenya party headquarters at Riverside Drive in Nairobi.
Why the two Nandi County MCAs walked out of Musalia Mudavadi
The two seasoned leaders, both serving their third term, were elected on an ANC ticket before the party was recently absorbed into the UDA.
The delegation of the defector MCAs was led by Hassan Kagoni, the Kabwareng Ward MCA under the Ford Kenya banner.
Speaking during the welcoming ceremony, Kagoni said the decision to join Ford Kenya followed extensive consultations with ANC grassroots leaders and voters who felt politically orphaned after the dissolution of the ANC.
“Today, we are proud to receive new members who resonate with our vision, manifesto, and the values we uphold as a party. This is a great step for the growth of our party and for inclusive development,” said Chikati.
To join UMoja Summit Party, dial *509# and follow the steps. Our party code is 090. #onevoice
However, in a bold declaration following the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held in Naivasha, Nakuru County, Ford Kenya resolved not to dissolve the party, affirming its commitment to remain independent within the Kenya Kwanza coalition.
The decision, made unanimously by the party leadership, comes amid calls from President William Ruto for constituent parties within the Kenya Kwanza alliance to merge into a single political entity.
How Musalia Mudavadi’s close allies gave birth to a new political party
Ford Kenya, led by National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, has chosen a different path, insisting that it remains “active, vibrant, and ready to form coalitions ahead of the 2027 elections.”
Meanwhile, Mudavadi, who doubles as the Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Cabinet secretary, appears to have gotten reprieve after his close allies finally rebranded the Umoja Summit Party (USP) to the Democratic Alliance Party (DNA).
According to sources, the launch of the DNA party is meant to fill the void left by the ANC in the larger Western Kenya region.
Godfrey Kanoti, who previously served as head of the directorate of projects and programs under the government delivery service in the office of the prime cabinet secretary, is the architect of the new political outfit.
Press Briefing on UDA and ANC merger, State House, Nairobi, 17th January 2025.
Kanoti, who is the party leader, said the new outfit will accommodate Kenyans from all walks of life.
“We expect so many people to declare interest in various seats. From the presidency to the MCAs. We don’t allow speculation, so many people are willing to come and work with us,” said Kanoti.
Who are some of the top officials in the newly-launched DNA party
Kanoti has maintained that the party will not allow itself to play second fiddle in the 2027 General Election.
“Members of the Luhya community have always voted against the government. They are still looking for that leader. So, as a party, we are going to give a presidential candidate. Any coalition that doesn’t give us number one or number two, we are not boarding,” he said.
“As a community, we better have our presidential candidate, but we shall not join any coalition where we shall be told that we are number three.”
Kanoti regretted that members of the Luhya community don’t have a say in President Ruto’s government.
“We are not in Ruto’s government because we didn’t even get the number three slot. All the things that Musalia was promised were taken away. Musalia was in the presidency, but they later took away his position, where he was placed below the head of public service,” he added.
Asante bwana @EugeneLWamalwa for the invitation to the unveiling of @DAP_Kenya Chui House this afternoon. Hakika huu ni #MwamkoMpya
The officials of the new party include Barrack Muluka (secretary general), Matano Chengo (deputy party leader), Benjamin Kebaso (deputy party leader), Evans Kasena (secretary of PWD Affairs), Beatrice Nakiyiai Kipish (secretary of special interests’ affairs), and Grayson Katsoleh (secretary of parliamentary affairs).
Others are Naomi Cidi (Deputy Secretary General), Maasai Mwawira (Secretary of Parliamentary Affairs), James Mwaura (National Organising Secretary), and Jerusa Nyaboke (Administrator).
Why politicians should have option A and B in their political careers
Kakamega deputy governor Ayub Savula, who appeared to warm up to the new party, said in politics, one must have options A and B.
“You must have two options in politics. Such that, in case you face hurdles, you must be ready to join another political party. I, for instance, my plan A during the last elections was ANC, but when I noticed that it was joining Ruto’s party, I knew I was going to lose the elections. So, my plan B was joining DAP-K under Azimio,” explained Savula.
He went on: “So, now I have plan A, which is DAP K, and my plan B might be DNA; you never know.”
Kanoti declared that DNA was stepping forth to put an end to transactional politics, where leaders have been suppressing the voices of the masses for material gain.
But in a quick rejoinder, Mudavadi strongly dismissed reports suggesting he is part of the DNA party while calling the claims baseless and reaffirming his commitment to President Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza.
These new developments come when Western Kenya, a region historically dominated by parties like ANC and Ford Kenya, experiences shifting political loyalties.
