The High Court has ruled that the dissolution of the Amani National Congress (ANC) last year was illegal, violating constitutional rights on political participation and due process.
The merger, that had been announced on January 17, 2025 at State House with President Ruto present, had led to assets moving to United Democratic Alliance (UDA),
However, the court in its ruling on Thursday January 22, 2026, ordered everything returned and ANC reinstated as a registered party, dealing a major blow to the ruling UDA coalition
Justice Bahati Mwamuye ruled that the gazette notice formalizing the merger between UDA and ANC then under Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi was unlawful, null and void
ANC party was formally folded on March 7, 2025, following a National Delegates Convention NDC by the party that ratified the move.
Following the ANC- UDA merger, Lamu Governor Issa Timamy was appointed as the UDA deputy party leader to serve alongside Deputy President Kithure Kindiki. Emuhaya MP Omboko Milemba who was the ANC secretary General was appointed as the Secretary General of the UDA coalition.
However, the move sparked internal friction within the ANC circles, eventually leading to a legal battle.
Activist and ANC life member Stephen Mutoro accused the party leader Musalia Mudavadi, the registrar of political parties and other officials of eroding the independence of political parties and violating the rights of citizens to associate freely with parties of their choice.