Kenya First
Kenya Kwanza
LeaderWilliam Ruto
Deputy LeaderRigathi Gachagua
FoundedJanuary 2022 (2022-01)[1]
Political positionBig tent
MembersUDA, ANC, FORD–Kenya, EFP, TSP, UMP, TWP, CCK, DPK, FP, DP
Colours  Yellow
  Green
  Black
National Assembly
161 / 349
Senate
33 / 67
Governors
24 / 47

Kenya Kwanza (Swahili: "Kenya First")[2][3] is a Kenyan political alliance currently headed by William Ruto. The political coalition currently holds a majority in both the National Assembly[4][5] and Senate of Kenya.[6][7] It was formed in the period leading up to the 2022 Kenyan general election, originally consisting of three parties: the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), Amani National Congress and FORD–Kenya.[8] By 8 April 2022, several more political parties had joined the alliance, bringing the total number of constituent parties to 12.[9][10][11] On 18 August 2022, a number of politicians from the United Democratic Movement announced they would be joining the alliance.[12][13]

The coalition instruments affirm that the constituent parties themselves remain independent with their own leadership structures. In practice, however, the various party organs and committees harmonize their decisions with each other. In addition to supporting a common presidential and vice presidential candidate, the constituent parties do, upon consensus, field a common candidate in various other elective positions.[14]

History

After arriving at a coalition deal, the Kenya Kwanza Alliance announced that the positions of the coalitions' flag-bearer and running-mate were reserved for the UDA. Thus, UDA party leader William Ruto became the coalition's designated candidate. William Ruto chose Rigathi Gachagua as his running mate in what was perceived as a blunder at the time, overlooking Kithure Kindiki, the senator for Tharaka Nithi.[15] The Kenya Kwanza coalition deal also stipulated that upon winning the election, the position of Prime Cabinet Secretary was to be created and reserved for the founding party the Amani National Congress. The positions of Speaker of the National Assembly and Speaker of the Senate were reserved for FORD-Kenya and the Pamoja African Alliance respectively.[16]

After the 2022 elections, a dispute ensued between Kenya Kwanza and its main rival coalition, Azimio la Umoja, after both sides laid claim to the majority.[17] Both Speaker of the National Assembly Moses Wetangula and his Senate counterpart Amason Kingi decided in favor of Kenya Kwanza.[18]

Current composition

Alternate logo

As of 12 April 2022, the alliance consisted of the following political parties:[19]

Name Leader Main ideology Political position
United Democratic Alliance (UDA) William Ruto Conservatism Centre-right
Amani National Congress (ANC) Musalia Mudavadi Social liberalism Centre
Forum for the Restoration of Democracy (FORD–Kenya) Moses Wetangula Social democracy Centre-left
Economic Freedom Party (EFP) Issack Hassan Economic freedom Centre-left
The Service Party (TSP) Mwangi Kiunjuri
Umoja na Maendeleo Party (UMP) Martin Wambora
Tujibebe Wakenya Party (TWP) William Kabogo
Chama Cha Kazi (CCK) Moses Kuria Populism
Devolution Party of Kenya (DPK) Gunga Mwinga Devolution Centre
Farmers Party (FP) Irungu Nyakera Agrarianism Centre-right
Democratic Party (DP) Justin Muturi Conservatism Centre-right

    References

    1. ↑ Willy, John (28 January 2022). "Split in newly formed Kenya Kwanza Alliance over assented Political Parties Bill". The Informer. Retrieved 17 August 2022.
    2. ↑ "Kenya election result: William Ruto defies the odds for victory". BBC News. 15 August 2022.
    3. ↑ "KK manifesto spells out ambitious strategy to revamp agriculture sector". pd.co.ke. 30 June 2022.
    4. ↑ "Kenya Kwanza is Majority party in Parliament – Speaker Wetangula rules". pd.co.ke. 6 October 2022. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
    5. ↑ "Hon. Kimani Ichung'wah, CBS, MP | The Kenyan Parliament Website". parliament.go.ke. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
    6. ↑ "Kenya: Ruto's coalition wins control of National Assembly and Senate". The Africa Report.com. 9 September 2022. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
    7. ↑ "Speaker Kingi dismisses Azimio challenge to Kenya Kwanza's majority status". The Star. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
    8. ↑ "Team formed to strike UDA, ANC and Ford-K coalition deal". Nation. 30 January 2022. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
    9. ↑ Amollo, Beatrice. "Coalitions agreements deposited for scrutiny". orpp.or.ke. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
    10. ↑ "Kenya 2022: Who's who in William Ruto's Kenya Kwanza Alliance?". The Africa Report.com. 30 May 2022. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
    11. ↑ "Ngome muhimu zinazoweza kuamua mshindi wa uchaguzi wa urais nchini Kenya" (in Swahili). BBC News Swahili. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
    12. ↑ Macharia, Hunja (18 August 2022). "7 UDM MPs ditch Azimio to join Kenya Kwanza Alliance". KBC. Retrieved 18 August 2022.
    13. ↑ Seven UDM MPs join Kenya Kwanza, retrieved 18 August 2022
    14. ↑ Ng’etich, Jacob. "William Ruto's KK alliance to field one aspirant per seat". The Standard. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
    15. ↑ "Gachagua: My vision as deputy president". Nation. 16 May 2022. Retrieved 17 May 2022.
    16. ↑ "Here's how the Kenya Kwanza coalition agreement will work". Nation. 16 May 2022. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
    17. ↑ "Speaker Kingi dismisses Azimio challenge to Kenya Kwanza's majority status". The Star. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
    18. ↑ "Kenya: Ruto's coalition wins control of National Assembly and Senate". The Africa Report.com. 9 September 2022. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
    19. ↑ "12 parties formally join Kenya Kwanza alliance". Nation. 12 April 2022. Retrieved 14 August 2022.


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