The Amani National Congress (ANC) has confirmed that it has been fully reinstated as a legally registered political party following a High Court decision that nullified its purported dissolution and the transfer of its assets to merge with President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA).

In a statement issued on Friday, January 23, 2026, ANC Party Leader Stephen Mutoro welcomed the recent court’s ruling that found the party’s dissolution to be unlawful, unprocedural and unconstitutional, and ordered its immediate restoration in the official Register of Political Parties.

“The legal effect of the judgment is that the Amani National Congress (ANC) stands reinstated as a duly registered political party in Kenya,” Mutoro said.

Court quashes Gazette Notice

This comes shortly after the court quashed the Gazette Notice that had communicated the withdrawal and dissolution of the party and directed the Registrar of Political Parties to take positive steps to ensure ANC’s full reinstatement.

The ruling also ordered the reversal of all party property that had been transferred to UDA following what the court termed an unlawful merger process.

The petition, filed as Petition E141 of 2025, challenged the legality of the dissolution and the subsequent transfer of ANC assets, which the court found to have been conducted without due process.

ANC rebukes Issa Timamy

ANC also took issue with public remarks made by Lamu Governor Issa Timamy, stating that he is not a member of the party and therefore lacks the moral and legal authority to lecture it.

Following the recent ruling, deputy party leader Issa Timamy indicated that all of the ANC’s assets have been legally transferred. The Lamu Governor insisted that no formal merger exists between ANC and UDA.

“I would like to state categorically that the court ruling on the purported ANC-UDA merger is a matter that events have overtaken. What was done was a voluntary dissolution of the ANC party by its members, and therefore, the matter of the ANC Party having merged with UDA is not factual,” Timamy said.

In a quick rejoinder, ANC said: “For the avoidance of doubt, Hon. Timamy is not a member of the ANC Party and currently belongs to a different political formation,” the statement read.

The party added that while it ordinarily avoids responding to political commentary, it found it necessary to clarify the court’s position for public record.

Call for defectors to return

Following the ruling, the ANC has invited members who previously defected to other parties to return and re-register.

“We invite members who decamped to other parties, the likes of Hon. Timamy, to come back to the fold and register afresh,” Mutoro said.
He noted that the party is now shifting focus to preparations for the 2027 General Election, expressing confidence that ANC can reorganize itself into a formidable political force capable of forming the next government.

Mutoro also revealed that consultations are ongoing to appoint interim officials to various party organs, after which the changes will be formally communicated to the Registrar of Political Parties.

He added that key decisions, including the replacement of Joseph Hamisi Denar and a review of ANC’s position within the Kenya Kwanza coalition, will be addressed once the interim team is in place.

At the same time, ANC reiterated its commitment to constitutionalism, internal democracy and the rule of law, urging all stakeholders to respect the court decision and allow institutions to implement the judgment without interference.