UDA Says ANC Was Lawfully Dissolved, Rejects Court’s Merger Nullification.
President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) has challenged a High Court ruling that affirmed the continued legal existence of the Amani National Congress (ANC), arguing that the decision was based on a mischaracterisation of events.
In a statement released on January 23, UDA Deputy Party Leader Issa Timamy said ANC did not enter into a merger with UDA but instead dissolved itself voluntarily in line with its constitution and the Political Parties Act.
The statement followed a judgment delivered on January 22 by Justice Bahati Mwamuye, who ruled that the process used to dissolve ANC and merge it with UDA failed to satisfy constitutional requirements governing political party mergers and dissolutions.
The court consequently held that ANC remains a registered political party.
Justice Mwamuye also invalidated a Gazette Notice issued by the Registrar of Political Parties that had formalised the merger and directed the register to be amended to reflect ANC’s legal status.
UDA, however, said the ruling overlooked Gazette Notice No. 3449 dated March 14, 2025, issued by then Registrar of Political Parties Ann Nderitu, which confirmed ANC’s dissolution following a Special National Delegates Conference held on February 7, 2025.
According to UDA, the decision taken by ANC members amounted to a lawful dissolution rather than a merger and therefore could not be subjected to judicial scrutiny as a merger process.
The party maintained that following the dissolution, ANC’s assets were transferred in accordance with the law and former members were integrated into UDA through recognized political and administrative mechanisms.
UDA further dismissed assertions that the ruling would lead to the revival of ANC or the reconstitution of its structures, saying no legal or organisational uncertainty exists regarding ANC’s status.
The ruling party said it remains focused on strengthening internal cohesion and preparing for the 2027 general election.
