Details of the Pact Between Ruto and Mudavadi that Led to ANC’s Dissolution
A political pact between President William Ruto and Musalia Mudavadi, the former leader of the Amani National Congress (ANC), has resulted in the dissolution of the party and a shift in Mudavadi’s political trajectory. The deal, which is said to secure Mudavadi’s future political ambitions, includes a series of promises and strategic decisions for both leaders.
Key elements of the agreement include:
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Mudavadi’s Presidential Bid in 2032: The pact stipulates that Ruto will support Mudavadi’s bid for the presidency in 2032. Mudavadi, in turn, has agreed to put his presidential ambitions on hold until then, focusing instead on strengthening his political base under Ruto’s leadership.
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Prime Cabinet Secretary and Running Mate: Mudavadi will continue to serve as the Prime Cabinet Secretary until 2027, and he is promised the position of Ruto’s running mate in the 2027 general election. This positions him as a strong contender for the presidency in 2032, when he is expected to take over as the UDA’s presidential candidate.
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Dissolution of ANC: The National Delegates Council (NDC) of ANC recently ratified the dissolution of the party, with its assets and liabilities being transferred to Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA). Mudavadi’s former party officials are now being integrated into UDA, securing Mudavadi’s influence within the ruling party. Several ANC leaders, such as former party chairperson Kelvin Lunani, have taken up key roles within UDA, cementing the merger.
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Strategic Support for UDA: Mudavadi’s move to dissolve ANC is seen as a part of Ruto’s strategy to expand his political base, especially in the Western region, where UDA has struggled. The former ANC MPs are tasked with drumming up support for UDA, aligning themselves with Ruto’s re-election campaign in 2027 while also rallying support for Mudavadi’s presidential bid in 2032.
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Rebranding UDA: There are plans to rebrand UDA, incorporating elements of ANC’s identity such as logos and symbols, further solidifying the merger and Mudavadi’s influence within the party.
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Internal Party Dynamics: The agreement has been portrayed as an effort to strengthen political unity within the government, with the goal of ensuring that both Mudavadi and Ruto’s interests are well represented. Mudavadi himself has stated that it would be a conflict of interest for him to field candidates against Ruto or contest the presidency against the person who appointed him as Prime Cabinet Secretary.
Despite the promises made in the pact, political analysts have raised concerns about the risks involved. Some believe Mudavadi may be making a major miscalculation by dissolving his party and placing his political future in the hands of UDA. Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua cautioned Mudavadi, citing past political mistakes where leaders entered into agreements without a strong party base, leaving them vulnerable.
Political observers have drawn parallels to past political deals, such as the one between former President Mwai Kibaki and Kalonzo Musyoka, where promises made did not materialize, leading to dissatisfaction and political fallout.
In sum, while the pact between Ruto and Mudavadi appears to offer a clear political roadmap for Mudavadi’s presidential ambitions, it also carries significant risks, particularly regarding the dissolution of ANC and the reliance on UDA’s success in the coming years.
Details of the Pact Between Ruto and Mudavadi that Led to ANC’s Dissolution