Ruto’s new power arithmetic raise eyebrows

Buoyed as the final masterstroke to the full control of the legislative arm of government, the Parliament, the new charm offensive by president William Ruto to have the smaller affiliate parties of the Kenya Kwanza fold and join his United Democratic Alliance (UDA) will give a commanding control of the bi-cameral House whose leadership is affiliated to Kenya Kwanza brigade.

In what would reminisce the once vibrant and now struggling Jubilee Party, sources close to Ruto’s political strategist contend that the president wants to have a political party seamless running of government agenda by the Executive and the Legislature.

“Disbandment of the fourteen affiliate parties of Kenya Kwanza Alliance might be the much sought after resultant idea. To adequately drive the government agenda, you require parliament to approve budget, motions and other approvals that can be obstacles in delivery of government agenda. Such dominance has been seen in other jurisdictions like the South Africa’s African National Congress (ANC) and Chinese Communist Party.” Gilbert Ochieng, a political commentator observed.

Recently, after being nominated to cabinet as the Trade and Industry Cabinet Secretary, Chama Cha Kazi (CCK) Party leader Moses Kuria almost immediately announced intention to dissolve his party and formally join UDA.

The former Gatundu South said party’s National Executive Council (NEC) decided to disband the party and join UDA.

Through a letter to the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP), Kuria requested that the office disband the party so that he may formally join Ruto’s UDA.

During a Sunday service held today in Elgeyo Marakwet county, Kuria confirmed his party has written to the ORPP seeking for its dissolution.

“Until yesterday, I was the official leader of Chama Cha Kazi. I have written to the Office of Registrar of Political Parties for the dissolution of the party. Kama (if) Cabinet Secretary (Moses Kuria) anaweza vunja chama, wewe ni nani usivunje (can dissolve his party, who are you not to dissolve)?” Kuria posed.

In accordance with Article 10.0.1(b) of the CCK constitution, the party will publish a public notice after the merger inviting members to submit comments supporting or opposing the NEC resolution in newspapers.

Party members will then be invited to submit their comments to the secretary-general within 21 days of the notice’s publication.

Kenyans continue to voice mixed concerns over the allegations that UDA and its affiliates’ potential merger to build a more formidable political body.

According to constitutional lawyer Bobby Mkangi, the party seeking to dissolve must invoke its constitution in order for its affiliates to legally become members of the party they intend to join, with members who refuse to join being protected constitutionally.

Mkangi was a member of the team that created the 2010 Constitution.

“Members have all the rights to leave but it has consequences on the elected members because it means their seats would be declared vacant for leaving the sponsor party, in this case UDA.” Mkangi during a talk show on NTV.

Similarly, speaking separately, lawyer Danstan Omari maintained that as party members, they are protected by the Political Parties Act thus cannot lose their seats for switching to another party.

“Under the Political Parties Act, a political party can merge with another party. It is allowed by law. The members will now be deemed as UDA members. Ruto’s intention is to make UDA a major political party and soon parties like ANC, Ford Kenya will all follow suit.” Omari stated.

According to Omari, the president is using a tried-and-true technique to build support as he navigates the country’s leadership by making moves to keep existing allies and win over new supporters.

This action demonstrates the president’s enthusiasm for running for a second term in office ahead of the 2027 elections.

Even though he is aware that there is no assurance of support, especially from lawmakers who lean toward the opposition, the president is focused on making sure he has a majority in the bicameral parliament.

Preceding the just concluded polls, a number of politicians formed small political parties that they would later use as a negotiating tool with the ruling party or coalition as it attempts to expand into areas it received less support and consolidate its power through popular vote.

Ruto’s initial position was that he would not build a coalition and that smaller parties would have to join UDA before the elections on August 9.

He eventually made rescinded his initial stance to accommodate Prime Cabinet Secretary nominee Musalia Mudavadi of the ANC and National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula of Ford Kenya.

Further, prior to the elections, president Ruto negotiated multiple pre-election coalition deal with at least ten additional parties.

And in a move that attracted condemnation by the Azimio One Kenya Coalition brigade led by Martha Karua, Ruto entered into post-election agreements with parties that had existing coalition agreements with Azimio such as the MDG of Ugenya MP David Ochieng and the UDM of Mandera Senator Ali Roba.

This could be interpreted as an effort to give the Kenya Kwanza alliance a comfortable majority in both houses of Parliament which the president’s coalition won resoundingly.

With a total of 20 out of 47 governors, 138 out of 290 MPs and 22 out of 47 senators, President Ruto’s UDA is currently the only political party with the majority of representation from the August polls.