Kenya Kwanza

Last updated

Kenya First
Kenya Kwanza
Leader William Ruto
Deputy Leader Rigathi Gachagua
FoundedJanuary 2022 (2022-01) [1]
Political position Big tent
Members UDA, 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 the speakership position in both the National Assembly [4] and Senate of Kenya. [5] [6] 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. [7] By 8 April 2022, several more political parties had joined the alliance, bringing the total number of constituent parties to 12. [8] [9] [10] On 18 August 2022, a number of politicians from the United Democratic Movement announced they would be joining the alliance. [11] [12]

Contents

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. [13]

History

After arriving at a coalition deal, the Kenya Kwanza Alliance announced that the positions of the coalition's 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. [14] 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. [15]

After the 2022 elections, a dispute ensued between Kenya Kwanza and its main rival coalition, Azimio la Umoja, after both sides claimed the majority. [16] Both Speaker of the National Assembly Moses Wetangula and his Senate counterpart Amason Kingi decided in favor of Kenya Kwanza. [17]

In 2024, Kenya Kwanza coalition and President Ruto faced popular protests over proposed tax hikes. [18]

Current composition

Alternate logo Kenya Kwanza logo.svg
Alternate logo

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

NameLeaderMain ideologyPolitical 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

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Elections in Kenya</span>

Elections in Kenya take place within the framework of a multi-party democracy and a presidential system. The President, Senate and National Assembly are directly elected by voters, with elections organised by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Forum for the Restoration of Democracy – Kenya</span> Political party in Kenya

Forum for the Restoration of Democracy–Kenya (FORD–Kenya) is a Kenyan political party. The party has sat in the government of Kenya once, under the National Rainbow Coalition, from 2003 to 2007, having ended forty years of one party rule. In April 2022, the party joined the Kenya Kwanza coalition for the August 2022 elections, and is headed by Moses Wetangula, the current speaker of the National Assembly of Kenya. The party tends to be more popular among the Luhya people.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wiper Democratic Movement – Kenya</span> Kenyan political party

The Wiper Democratic Movement–Kenya (WDM-K), formerly Orange Democratic Movement–Kenya (ODM–Kenya), is a political party in Kenya, which originated as a result of the 2005 Kenyan constitutional referendum. The party tends to be more popular among the Kamba people. It is headed by Kalonzo Musyoka, who ran for president in 2007 and served as the vice-president in the Grand Coalition of Mwai Kibaki and Raila Odinga. He is now a member of the main opposition Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Party.

Amason Kingi Jeffah is a Kenyan politician currently serving as the Speaker of the Senate of Kenya. He is a member of the Pamoja African Alliance party, which he founded, and the Kenya Kwanza alliance. He served as the first governor of Kilifi County from 2013 to 2022, having been elected twice to the position.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Government of Kenya</span> National legislative, executive and judiciary powers of Kenya

The Government of the Republic of Kenya (GoK) is the national government of the Republic of Kenya located in East Africa. It is composed of 47 Counties, each county with its own semi-autonomous governments, including the national capital of Nairobi, where the national government is primarily based.

The United Democratic Movement (UDM) is a political party that was founded in 1999 by politicians who were at the time considederd to be renegades from the then ruling party Kenya African National Union but was denied registration by the then head of state Daniel Toroitich Arap Moi and most of its then leaders went to other parties by the time of the 2002 general elections.

Joshua Wakahora Irungu is a Kenyan politician and community development specialist. He was appointed to the position of Chairperson of Water Services Regulatory Board (WASREB) in Feb 2019. He is the first and third governor of the County of Laikipia first serving from 2013 to 2017, representing the Jubilee Coalition party TNA and securing a return running on a UDA ticket in 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ndindi Nyoro</span> Kenyan politician


Ndindi Nyoro, CBS, MP is a Kenyan politician, an entrepreneur and member of parliament (MP) for Kiharu Constituency, serving a second term. Ndindi belongs to United Democratic Alliance (UDA), a political party under the Kenya Kwanza alliance led by the current and fifth president of Kenya, Dr William Ruto. He is a graduate of Kenyatta University with a Bachelor of Arts (Economics) and was a student leader at the same university. Ndindi has been rated as among the best performing Members of Parliament in Kenya, and he is currently the Chairman of Budget and Appropriations Committee in the National Assembly. During Kenya's 59th Jamhuri Day, Ndindi was feted by President William Ruto with an honour of Chief of Burning Spear (CBS) for his exemplary development record in Kiharu constituency.

Aisha Jumwa Karisa Katana is the immediate former Cabinet Secretary for Gender, fired by President William Ruto on 11th July 2024. She previously served as a Member of Parliament representing Malindi Constituency in Kilifi County and Commissioner of the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC) from 2017 to 2022, the Woman Representative for Kilifi County from 2013 to 2017, and as Councillor for Takaungu Ward from 1997 to 2007. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Leadership and Management from International Leadership University [ILU] and Executive Diploma in Governance from the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 Kenyan general election</span>

General elections were held in Kenya on Tuesday, 9 August 2022. Voters elected the president, governors, senators, members of the National Assembly, and members of county assemblies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United Democratic Alliance (Kenya)</span> Political party in Kenya

The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) is the current ruling political party in Kenya. Their slogan is "Kazi ni Kazi" and their symbol is a wheelbarrow. The party, initially called the Party of Development and Reforms, officially changed its name to UDA in December 2020. The party became notable in January 2021, and is allied with William Ruto, the President of Kenya. It tends to be more popular among the Kalenjin people.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2021 Kenyan constitutional referendum attempt</span> 2021 political related event

The Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) was a proposed set of amendments to the Constitution of Kenya initially proposed in October 2019. In the wake of the 2017 general election annulment and subsequent re-run, incumbent President Uhuru Kenyatta mandated the formation of the Presidential Taskforce on Building Bridges to Unity Advisory on 31 May 2018. The Taskforce was assigned to provide constitutional and legislative solutions in 9 broad categories:

  1. Lack of National Ethos
  2. Ethnic Antagonism and Competition
  3. Responsibilities and Rights
  4. Shared Prosperity
  5. Divisive Elections
  6. Safety and Security
  7. Devolution
  8. Corruption
  9. Inclusivity
<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rigathi Gachagua</span> Deputy President of Kenya since 2022

Geoffrey Rigathi Gachagua is a Kenyan politician who is serving as Deputy President of Kenya since 2022. He previously served as the Member of Parliament for Mathira Constituency between 2017 and 2022 as a member of the Jubilee Party. In the 2022 election, William Ruto selected Gachagua as his running mate, and the two were elected with just over 50% of the vote.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Azimio la Umoja</span> Political party in Kenya

Azimio la Umoja–One Kenya Coalition Party, popularly referred to as Azimio la Umoja, or simply Azimio, is a Kenyan political alliance and party headed by Raila Odinga. It is composed of the Orange Democratic Movement, the Jubilee Party, NARC–Kenya, KANU, and other parties. Former president Uhuru Kenyatta is the party's patron. The alliance fielded Odinga as its presidential candidate and Martha Karua as its deputy presidential candidate in the 2022 Kenyan election, which they lost.

The 13th Parliament of Kenya was elected in the 2022 Kenyan general election.

The Democratic Action Party of DAP-K is a political party in Kenya led by Wafula Wamunyinyi.

The Pamoja African Alliance (PAA) is a political party in Kenya. It is led by Amason Kingi.

The United Party of Independent Alliance (UPIA) is a political party in Kenya.

The Kenya Union Party (KUP) is a political party in Kenya.

Reuben Kiborek is the current Member of Parliament for Mogotio Constituency of Baringo County located in Rift Valley, Kenya. He was elected to the seat the 2022 Kenyan general elections. Kiborek had previously contested Mogotio in the 2017 elections. He is a member of the United Democratic Alliance party. Prior to politics, he worked as a herdboy.

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. "Hon. Kimani Ichung'wah, CBS, MP | The Kenyan Parliament Website". parliament.go.ke. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
  5. "Kenya: Ruto's coalition wins control of National Assembly and Senate". The Africa Report.com. 9 September 2022. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
  6. "Speaker Kingi dismisses Azimio challenge to Kenya Kwanza's majority status". The Star. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
  7. "Team formed to strike UDA, ANC and Ford-K coalition deal". Nation. 30 January 2022. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
  8. Amollo, Beatrice. "Coalitions agreements deposited for scrutiny". orpp.or.ke. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
  9. "Kenya 2022: Who's who in William Ruto's Kenya Kwanza Alliance?". The Africa Report.com. 30 May 2022. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
  10. "Ngome muhimu zinazoweza kuamua mshindi wa uchaguzi wa urais nchini Kenya" (in Swahili). BBC News Swahili. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
  11. Macharia, Hunja (18 August 2022). "7 UDM MPs ditch Azimio to join Kenya Kwanza Alliance". KBC. Retrieved 18 August 2022.
  12. Seven UDM MPs join Kenya Kwanza , retrieved 18 August 2022
  13. Ng’etich, Jacob. "William Ruto's KK alliance to field one aspirant per seat". The Standard. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
  14. "Gachagua: My vision as deputy president". Nation. 16 May 2022. Retrieved 17 May 2022.
  15. "Here's how the Kenya Kwanza coalition agreement will work". Nation. 16 May 2022. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
  16. "Speaker Kingi dismisses Azimio challenge to Kenya Kwanza's majority status". The Star. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
  17. "Kenya: Ruto's coalition wins control of National Assembly and Senate". The Africa Report.com. 9 September 2022. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
  18. "Protests in Nairobi over Kenya government's tax hikes BBC News".
  19. "12 parties formally join Kenya Kwanza alliance". Nation. 12 April 2022. Retrieved 14 August 2022.