NAIROBI, Kenya Jan 31 – Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has drawn a firm line under the Amani National Congress, telling supporters to abandon the defunct party and rally behind the United Democratic Alliance as the only viable vehicle for Western Kenya’s political future.
During a series of radio interviews in Kakamega on Friday, Mudavadi said ANC had completed its political journey and no longer exists as an operational party. He said all internal processes were followed before the decision to dissolve it was reached.
“I was the anchor of ANC, and we followed every procedure required before formally declaring that the party had been dissolved,” Mudavadi said.
According to Mudavadi, Western Kenya leaders can no longer afford fragmented politics if the region hopes to wield real influence at the national level, especially as the country edges closer to the 2027 General Election.
He argued that maintaining loyalty to a party that is no longer active only weakens the region’s collective bargaining power and locks it out of key national conversations.
Mudavadi brushed aside a recent court ruling that cast doubt on the legality of ANC’s merger with UDA, saying the judgment has no bearing on political realities.
“That decision is like a parasite clinging to the skin of a cow that has already been slaughtered,” he said.
He urged former ANC supporters to channel their efforts into building influence within UDA, saying only numbers and unity within a major national party can translate into leadership opportunities.
“Our goal is national leadership. We will pursue it from inside UDA. We must be influential within UDA, and we must have a strong following there,” he said.
Mudavadi added that if Western Kenya remains united under UDA, leaders from the region would be well positioned to compete for top national offices once President William Ruto’s term ends in 2032.
On ongoing engagements between UDA and the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), Mudavadi said discussions were still at a preliminary stage and that no decision had been made to work with any specific faction of the opposition party.
He said UDA is still holding internal consultations to shape its political strategy before committing to any formal arrangement.
The High Court had ruled that the dissolution of the Amani National Congress (ANC) was unlawful and unconstitutional, declaring that the political party remains legally registered and fully recognised under Kenyan law.
In a judgment delivered on Thursday, the court found that the resolution allegedly passed to dissolve the party failed to meet the constitutional and statutory requirements governing the disbandment of a registered political party.
The court held that the process violated the Constitution and relevant provisions of the Political Parties Act.
As a result, the court ruled that ANC’s legal personality was never extinguished and that the party continues to exist with full legal standing.
The court further invalidated a Gazette Notice issued by the Registrar of Political Parties which had sought to formalise the party’s dissolution, declaring the notice unlawful, null and void, and without any legal effect.
To enforce compliance with the ruling, the court issued an order of mandamus directing the Registrar of Political Parties to immediately take corrective action, including updating the official register to reflect ANC’s continued existence and formally communicating the party’s lawful status to all relevant institutions.
In addition, the court issued orders restraining any transfer, disposal, or interference with ANC’s assets, effective from February 6, 2025. The order bars any individuals or entities from dealing with the party’s property until full compliance with the court’s directives is achieved.
The court emphasised that ANC retains all rights, obligations and protections accorded to registered political parties under the Constitution and applicable statutes.
However, the court also granted a temporary stay of execution of the judgment for 45 days, allowing parties time to pursue any further legal remedies, including possible appeals, before the orders take full effect.
