- High Court says ANC was never lawfully dissolved
- Judge rules merger with UDA did not meet legal standards
- Registrar ordered to restore ANC on official party register
- All ANC assets must be returned immediately
- Ruling reopens key political and legal questions ahead of 2027
The High Court has ruled that the move to dissolve Amani National Congress (ANC) and fold it into President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) was illegal.
In a decision delivered on Thursday, January 22, the court confirmed that ANC remains a fully registered political party under Kenyan law.
Justice Bahati Mwamuye said the steps used to dissolve ANC and merge it with UDA failed to meet both constitutional and legal requirements.
The judge noted that the required threshold for party dissolution and merger was not achieved, making the entire process invalid from the start.
The court nullified the gazette notice issued by the Registrar of Political Parties that had approved the merger.
Justice Mwamuye ordered the Registrar to immediately update official records to show that ANC still exists as an independent party.
In his ruling, the judge directed that all property and assets that belonged to ANC and were moved to UDA offices must be handed back.
He also issued orders stopping anyone from selling, transferring, or interfering with ANC property until the court’s directions are fully followed.
Any dealings with ANC assets after February 6, 2025, the court warned, would amount to a violation of the law.
ANC, led by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, announced plans to dissolve and join UDA in January 2025 as part of efforts to strengthen the ruling coalition.
The merger was later formalised in March 2025, after which ANC stopped operating independently and its leadership structures were absorbed into UDA.
A section of ANC members challenged the decision, arguing that the merger broke Article 91 of the Constitution.
They told the court that key internal approvals were missing and that party assets were handled without following the law.
The ruling now reverses the merger, restoring ANC’s legal status and reopening questions about its leadership, offices, and resources.
The decision comes at a delicate time as UDA prepares for major internal meetings and early political planning ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Legal experts and political observers say the judgment could have wide effects on party alliances and future coalition talks.
