The United Democratic Alliance has rejected claims that it unlawfully merged with the former Amani National Congress party, saying the issue is based on false claims and that key events had already settled the matter before the recent High Court ruling.
In a statement dated January 23, 2026, the party said the reports misrepresent the facts, explaining that ANC voluntarily dissolved in February 2025 and that its members and assets were legally taken in by UDA, leaving no legal or structural dispute.
The statement, signed by Lamu County Governor and UDA 2nd Deputy Party Leader Issa Timamy, said the court decision touching on the alleged merger was no longer relevant.
“The court ruling on the purported ANC-UDA merger is a matter that events have overtaken,” the statement said.
Timamy said the decision to dissolve ANC was made freely by its members and followed the party’s constitution and the law.
“For the record, on 14th March, 2025, vide a Gazette Notice No. 3449, the then Registrar of Political Parties, Ms. Ann Nderitu, notified all and sundry that pursuant to section 9 and 34C of the Political Parties Act, Cap. 7 D, and paragraph 22 of the Second Schedule, ANC at its Special National Delegates Congress on 7th February, 2025, in line with the party constitution, dissolved,” the statement read in part.
UDA said the process resulted in the lawful transfer of ANC assets and the integration of its members, insisting that the action did not amount to a merger between two parties.
“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,” Timamy said.
He added that claims suggesting the merger was later declared illegal by the court were incorrect.
He described such claims as “yet another fiction,” noting that “you cannot nullify a decision that never was in the first place.”
The party said its focus remains on internal unity and governance, stating that its main goal is to “protect the integrity of the party, consolidate unity and mobilize our members as we work decisively towards the re-election of H.E. President Dr William Samoei Ruto.”
The statement comes a day after a High Court ruling delivered on January 22 declared the alleged merger between Amani National Congress and United Democratic Alliance unlawful and unconstitutional, and stated that ANC remains legally in existence.
In the ruling, Justice Bahati Mwamuye said the resolution said to have dissolved ANC failed to meet constitutional and legal standards required to wind up a registered political party.
The court also ruled that a Gazette Notice issued by the Registrar of Political Parties to effect the dissolution of ANC was unlawful, null and void.
As part of the orders, the court issued an order of mandamus directing the Registrar of Political Parties to immediately update the official register to show that Amani National Congress is still in existence and to formally communicate its lawful status.
The court further barred any transfer, disposal or interference with ANC assets from February 6, 2025, and restrained any person or institution from dealing with the party’s property until the court orders are fully followed.
The ruling reaffirmed that Amani National Congress remains a duly registered political party with all its legal rights and protections intact, and directed that any assets transferred to UDA be returned to ANC.
