The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) has laughed off a High Court judgment that declared the dissolution of Musalia Mudavadi’s Amani National Congress (ANC) unconstitutional. In a defiant statement, UDA officials termed the ruling "academic" and "overtaken by events," signaling a messy legal battle ahead in the ruling coalition.

Justice Bahati Mwamuye dropped a bombshell on Thursday, ruling that the process used to fold ANC into President Ruto’s UDA party violated the Political Parties Act and the Constitution. The Judge ordered the Registrar of Political Parties to reinstate ANC as an independent entity, effectively undoing the merger that cemented Mudavadi’s position as Prime Cabinet Secretary.

"The Train Has Left the Station"

However, UDA’s response was swift and dismissive. UDA Deputy Party Leader Issa Timamy argued that the assets, membership, and structures of ANC had already been legally transferred and integrated into UDA. "You cannot unscramble an omelet," Timamy stated. "The members voluntarily dissolved the party. A court order cannot recreate a political will that no longer exists."

• Legal Quagmire: The ruling puts Mudavadi in a precarious position. Technically, he is now the leader of an opposition party within the government, complicating the coalition agreement.
• Registrar on the Spot: The Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP) is now under pressure to comply with the court order, which includes gazetting ANC’s reinstatement—a move UDA is likely to block through an appeal.
• Political Realignments: Analysts view this as a lifeline for ANC hardliners who opposed the merger, potentially giving them a vehicle to bargain for power in the 2027 election cycle.

A Coalition in Chaos?

The judgment exposes the fragile legal foundations of Kenya’s mega-parties. By ruling that the dissolution failed to meet statutory thresholds, the court has set a precedent that could affect other folded parties like Ford-Kenya. "This is a warning shot," said political analyst Herman Manyora. "Ruto’s plan for a single massive party like Jubilee or KANU is facing judicial headwinds."

For now, UDA maintains that ANC is dead and buried. But with a court order breathing new life into the corpse, the ghost of ANC is set to haunt the Kenya Kwanza coalition’s unity bid.