Moses Kuria’s Chama Cha Kazi (CCM) party, has notified the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties of its intention to dissolve itself and join the United Democratic Alliance, he is the incoming Cabinet Secretary for trade. This move comes against the backdrop of a push by President Ruto to have all UDA affiliate parties fold and join his UDA party. Speaking at a burial ceremony in Elgeyo Marakwet, Mr Kuria confirmed that his party had indeed notified the Registrar of Political Parties of its intention to dissolve and join UDA.
“Up to yesterday I was the chair of a party called Chama cha Kazi, I dissolved it and went through the registrar and joined UDA. I also want us to join hands and once nominations are over you give us the name of the candidate so that we can appoint him,” he said.
Despite the United Democratic Alliance’s (UDA) strategic decision to dissolve allied parties, the party’s leadership has reiterated that the whole process is voluntary. In an interview, UDA secretary general Veronica Maina noted that no party will be compelled to fold up.
“Chama Cha Kazi is the only party that has come out openly. They brought some documents for the merger to UDA offices but we did not have time to discuss the matter because we were all going to Parliament for the President’s inaugural address,” Ms Maina said. “They have served the ORPP with a notice that they want to fold. It is voluntary and we have no problem with their decision to join a bigger party. It is more strategic for someone who is in the cabinet to offload party responsibilities to focus on their new roles,” she said.
For the United Democratic Alliance affiliates to legally join, it will have to invoke its constitution. Former nominated MP David Sankok has lauded the move noting that it will revitalize the 2017 Jubilee dream that was never fulfilled.
“When we folded parties to form Jubilee in the run-up to the 2017 polls, the plan was to have a party that goes beyond one ethnic community,” said Sankok. He added, “I am not the official spokesperson of Kenya Kwanza but I know that this has remained the aspiration of my party leader.”
