‘We don’t want to coerce anyone to fold their party’ – Gachagua contradicts Malala

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has distanced himself from United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Secretary General Cleophas Malala’s remarks that Kenya Kwanza parties should fold their parties and join the ruling party.

Speaking in a joint media interview on Sunday, March 12, Gachagua said the folding of parties’ proposal is for the willing.

“That is Malala idea of making UDA a strong party. He’s an energetic young man and I have all the time for him.

“Probably his style is different but we don’t want to coerce anyone to fold their party, but if anyone feels the need they can fold and join,” he said.

Malala’s proposal opposed

Malala has been pushing to have Kenya Kwanza parties fold into a larger outfit ahead of the 2027 general election.

“Off late we had coalitions of convenience whereby people come together for purposes of winning an election, they don’t believe or like each other and have no common agenda, they just come together for purposes of winning an election,” Malala said.

However, his move has generated a heated debate from the ruling coalition parties with many of them insisting that they are not willing to accept the proposal.

“What UDA is doing is actually a wish. Everyone wishes to have a big party. I believe that what Mr. Malala is talking about would be their dream to have the party grow and have everyone there.

“We have not had discussions about anyone folding their party. The parties that belong to Kenya Kwanza are run through well-established structures and operations but party leaders won’t fold to join UDA,” Movement for Democracy and Growth (MDG) party’s David Ochieng said on Monday, March 6, 2023.