UDA denies merging with ANC, says Mudavadi’s party was voluntarily dissolved
By Luke Oluoch, January 23, 2026President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) has responded to a high court ruling concerning the ANC-UDA merger, which saw the latter cease to exist and lawfully integrated into the ruling party.
In a statement signed by Issa Timamy, the second deputy party leader, on Friday, January 23, 2026, the party dismissed the court ruling dated Thursday, January 23, 2026, as moot. arguing that references to a said merger between the two parties as not factual.
UDA has explained that on 14th March, 2025, via a gazette Notice No. 3449, the then Registrar of Political Parties, Ann Nderitu, confirmed the dissolution of the party on 7th February, 2025.
Overtaken by events
“I have taken note of the High Court ruling on Thursday, January 22, on the ‘Matter of ANC Party having “merged” with the ruling party, United Democratic Alliance (UDA),”part of UDA statement said.
“I would like to state categorically that the court ruling on the purported ANC-UDA merger is a matter that events have overtaken.
The party has dismissed the ruling, asserting that the court cannot purport to refer to and rule on a merger that never happened nor existed.
Gazetted
“Clearly, what was done was a voluntary dissolution by the ANC party by its members, and therefore, the matter of the ANC Party having “merged” with UDA is, with respect, not factual. In fact, and in law, there was never a merger between the two political parties. A casual reference to the Gazette Notice, as stated above, should have helped,” it response went on.
UDA has additionally confirmed that the transferring and disposal of the dissolved party assets and members was lawfully undertaken with no trail of parallel structure, legal or operational ambiguity, or competing claims arising thereof.
As UDA moves past the ruling, it says its priority remains unity and re-election efforts for President William Samoei Ruto.
“Our focus remains on delivering the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) and ensuring real, measurable development outcomes for the people of Kenya,” the statement added.