The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Party has clarified Deputy President Kithure Kindiki’s position following its merger with Musalia Mudavadi’s Amani National Congress (ANC).
In a statement issued on Friday, January 17, 2025, UDA announced that Kindiki will serve as the party’s First Deputy Party Leader, while Lamu Governor Issa Timamy has been appointed as the Second Deputy Party Leader.
President William Ruto will remain the UDA Party Leader, with Kindiki and Timamy as his deputies. Additionally, Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire will serve as the National Vice-Chairperson, deputized by Kelvin Lunani.
The party also confirmed that Secretary-General Hassan Omar will be deputized by Emuhaya MP Omboko Milemba. Mwala MP Vincent Kawaya will retain his role as the National Organizing Secretary, while Japheth Nyakundi continues as the National Treasurer.
UDA Secretary-General Hassan Omar condemned what he described as a rise in fake news, some allegedly propagated by mainstream media, which he claimed aimed to mislead the public.
“We urge Kenyans to discern truth from falsehoods as the government continues implementing its Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA),” Omar stated.
During the official launch of the UDA-ANC merger at State House, UDA Chairperson Cecily Mbarire announced that elements of the ANC party, including its secretariat, symbols, typography, and colors, would be incorporated into the revamped UDA Party identity.
“The UDA Party and the Amani National Congress have today merged into one entity under the UDA Party banner. The branding and identity will now incorporate elements of ANC’s logo and imagery,” Mbarire revealed.
Changes in Leadership
This development comes after Kithure Kindiki was named UDA’s Deputy Party Leader on November 11, 2024, following the impeachment of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
The UDA National Executive Committee (NEC) explained that Gachagua’s removal from office necessitated his relinquishment of the Deputy Party Leader role, as stipulated by the party’s constitution.
“With the resolution of the National Assembly and the Senate vote, and in accordance with Articles 75 (3) and 145 (7) of the Constitution of Kenya, alongside Article 8.2.19 of the UDA Party Constitution, Rigathi Gachagua is no longer able to perform the duties of Deputy Party Leader,” read the NEC resolution.
This merger signifies a significant political shift and positions the UDA Party as a more unified force heading into the next phase of its political journey.
