Kenya Kwanza

Not to be confused with Kwanza, Kenya.

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 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]

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]

  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.