Analysis: Pressure mounting on small parties to join Ruto’s UDA ahead of 2027 polls
By Aloys Michael, April 20, 2026As the country’s political chessboard gradually shifts toward the 2027 General Election, fresh pressure is mounting within President William Ruto’s camp to consolidate smaller affiliate parties into a single dominant vehicle, the United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
With roughly 15 months to the polls, the strategy is aimed at strengthening cohesion and avoiding fragmentation that could weaken the ruling coalition’s electoral edge even as the opposition bolsters their camps to make Ruto a term President.
The latest focus of this consolidation drive is Laikipia East MP Mwangi Kiunjuri and his outfit, The Service Party (TSP). Reports indicate Kiunjuri is under increasing internal pressure to dissolve the party and formally join UDA, although he has not publicly confirmed such plans.
Efforts to reach Kiunjuri and the party’s Secretary General, Mwenda Makathimo, for comment were unsuccessful, as calls and messages went unanswered.
However, TSP chairman Brown Munyoroku dismissed the claims, terming them as mere propaganda meant to destabilize the party.
Despite the denials, signals from within Kenya Kwanza ranks suggest a broader push to streamline the coalition into a unified political machine under UDA. The move mirrors past election cycles, where coalition partners merged to present a stronger front.
Already, notable figures have taken steps in that direction. Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi dissolved his Amani National Congress (ANC) and joined UDA, in what is viewed as a significant milestone in consolidating the ruling alliance.
Similarly, Senate Speaker Amason Kingi announced that his Pamoja African Alliance (PAA) will not field candidates in 2027, opting instead to back UDA candidates across all elective positions.
Ruto’s reelection quagmire?
However, not all coalition partners are willing to relinquish their political identities. National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has taken a firm stance, rejecting calls to dissolve Ford Kenya.
The party has resolved to remain independent within the coalition and plans to field candidates in upcoming by-elections and in the 2027 race.
The party’s Secretary General, John Chikati, issued a statement condemning pressure from UDA leaders. He described the demands as outrageous and warned that they undermine the democratic principles that underpin Kenya’s political system.
“The FORD Kenya Party has noted with deep concern the consistent and sustained threats issued by senior leaders within UDA. These utterances, demanding that affiliate parties within the Kenya Kwanza administration should fold up and join UDA ahead of the 2027 General Elections, are not only outrageous but a direct affront to the democratic fabric of our nation,” read part of the statement.
“FORD Kenya cannot and will not be dissolved. It can only be enhanced and protected for future generations.”
Yet, any internal dissent threatens to derail these efforts. Indeed, any misstep by key allies like Wetang’ula could weaken the President’s reelection prospects, especially as critics position themselves to limit him to a single term.
“We have a clear and demonstrable track record in delivering housing, health, education, roads, and other critical infrastructure. Across the country, we are transforming the delivery of development to the people of Kenya, ensuring that progress reaches every sector and every community, leaving no one behind. Our plan is credible, practical, and proven through decisive action,’ Ruto said.
Despite such assurances, political undercurrents in Western Kenya remain volatile. The emergence of grassroots movements aligned with the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has intensified competition, with factions mobilising against the government over unmet expectations and perceived policy failures.
Labour Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua has also resisted similar pressure. He has maintained that his Maendeleo Chap Chap Party will remain active and field candidates, signalling a growing divide within the coalition over the question of political mergers.
Against this backdrop, Kiunjuri’s TSP finds itself at a critical crossroads. In December, the Laikipia East MP presided over the party’s first National Delegates Conference — a move widely interpreted as an effort to assert its independence and organisational strength amid rising speculation about its future.
“This conference is not merely a formality; it is a vital exercise in party democracy, where every voice matters,” Kiunjuri said at the time, signalling his commitment to nurturing the party as a long-term political vehicle.
“The Service Party is built to last.” These remarks now stand in sharp contrast to ongoing speculation about a possible merger with UDA.