Anxiety escalates in Kenya following Ruto’s plan for one-party rule

President William Ruto’s plans to establish a powerful political party that brings together all of the Kenya Kwanza affiliate parties ahead of the 2027 presidential elections are causing some anxiety within the Kenya Kwanza camp. Some members worry that such a move would consolidate too much power within Ruto’s camp and could undermine the status of the Kenya Kwanza party itself. However, others see it as a necessary step to ensure that Kenya Kwanza remains a force to be reckoned with in Kenyan politics. Only time will tell how this internal struggle will play out, but it is clear that President Ruto’s decision to pursue this plan is having a major impact on the Kenya Kwanza party.
Ruto has made it clear that he wants to build a strong and formidable political party with a national outlook. He believes that such a party will give him the best chance of winning a fresh mandate from the electorate in the next four years. Ruto is aware that he faces a number of challenges in achieving this goal, but he is confident that he has the support of the people and the resources to make it a reality.
The Amani National Congress (ANC) has rejected a push by Ruto to have the coalition’s affiliate political parties dissolved. The ANC, which was founded by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, believes that such a move would be detrimental to the coalition’s goal of staying in power.
The party believes that Ruto should instead focus on seeking solutions to the many challenges facing the country, such as the high cost of living, runaway inflation, and heavy taxation. Ruto has been vocal about these issues in the past, and the party believes that he is the best equipped to solve them. However, some believe that Ruto is more interested in political power than in solving the country’s problems. Only time will tell if Ruto is truly committed to making a difference in Kenya.
The party has gone ahead and relieved it’s Secretary General Simon Kamau of his duties and replaced him with Vihiga Women Rep Beatrice Adagala in an acting capacity. The move was made in an effort to try and shake up the party’s flagging fortunes, with many having seen Kamau as being ineffective in his role. Adagala is seen as a much more fiery personality, and it is hoped that she will be able to inject some much-needed life into the party. Only time will tell if this move will be enough to turn things around for the party, but it is certainly a bold step.
According to sources who were present at the meeting, it seems that the SG was planning to dissolve the ANC and join the UDA. This is most likely due to the fact that Cleophas Malala, the Secretary General of the UDA, was also in attendance. The ANC has been facing a lot of internal turmoil lately, so it is not surprising that the SG would consider joining a different party.
“Governor Issa Timamy, the current ANC leader, made it clear that the ANC party will not be folded as it is an independent party. He stated that the ANC is not merging either today or in the future to avoid any confusion. Timamy emphasised that ANC is its own entity and will continue to be so in the future”.
In a statement, the party’s Secretary-General, Mr. Richard Nyagaka, said that the party will continue to play its role in the Kenya Kwanza Coalition, particularly in helping the President to deliver on the coalition manifesto. Mr. Nyagaka added that, amidst the high cost of living, drought and a record number of Kenya seeking opportunities, the party is focused on improving the lives of Kenyans through its legislators in Parliament and not folding up.
Ms Adagala, the acting ANC Secretary General, said that this was not the time for dissolving political parties but to work for the electorate. She said that the ANC would continue to engage with other stakeholders in order to build a better Kenya.
ANC national Chairman Kelvin Lunani said that despite the fact that ANC is in Kenya Kwanza, they were only supporting the government of the day but when it comes to the merger of parties, they were not a party to it. He said that the ANC was committed to working with all parties in order to build a strong and united Kenya.
Speaking at the Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK) – Maseno North Diocese headquarters in Kakamega during a Sunday service, Malala maintained that the merger of parties in Kenya Kwanza was a must – there is no turning back.
He was accompanied by former Sports Cabinet Secretary Rashid Echesa and a host of ward reps drawn from Trans Nzoia, Kakamega and Nandi counties.
Malala noted that the current political situation in the country was not conducive for any party to go it alone and that it was time for all like-minded Kenya Kwanza politicians to put their differences aside and form a formidable coalition that can take on the establishment.
Malala said that the President has given firm instructions of ensuring that a strong political party is crafted that will guarantee him a resounding victory at the 2027 presidential polls.
“It’s the wish of the President to have a strong political party with a national outlook that is headed by one party leader, one secretary general and chairman representing the face of the country,” said Malala
Malala said Cabinet Secretaries who are party leaders will be required to fold their outfits and join US as members, saying already, Trade CS Moses Kuria has agreed to fold his party and that the rest should follow suit.
“You cannot be the President and yet in your cabinet, you have Cabinet Secretaries with briefcase parties who have competing interests. We must do away with such parties to have time in crafting a winning strategy in the 2027 general elections,” said Malala
Earlier, Kabuchai MP Majimbo Kalasinga opposed the move by Malala saying that a fool does not learn from his past mistakes. He said Ford Kenya won’t be dissolved by any means. “A clever man will learn from other people’s experience but a fool will never learn from his own experience,” he said.
Political analyst Daniel Nyangweso said that by pushing for the dissolution of affiliate parties, Ruto was repeating the same mistakes of the past that saw the Jubilee party merge and end up crumbling after the Uhuru-Raila bromance in early 2018.
Nyangweso’s comments come in light of the recent decision by Kenya Kwanza to fold its affiliate parties. This move, he believes, will weaken Ruto’s campaign against the opposition significantly. Jubilee made a similar decision in 2016, folding parties under its coalition. However, Nyangweso points out that the party only lasted for two years. This raises questions about the longevity of Kenya Kwanza, should it take a similar route.