Amani National Congress (ANC) on Friday, March 10 announced the appointment of Vihiga Woman Representative Beatrice Adagala as the Acting Secretary General (SG) of the party.
Speaking to the press, Adagala noted that the decision was reached after a meeting she held with ANC party leader Issa Timamy, who is also the Lamu Governor.
The Vihiga County Member of Parliament took over from Simon Gikuru, a greenhorn, who the party picked in September 2021, to replace Barrack Muluka who resigned.
“We met with our party leader Timamy. We discussed many things about our party. As the (incoming) SG, I would like to tell Kenyans that the party is strong,” she said during the announcement.
Adagala, a second-term legislator, made the statement flanked by Governor Timamy, Emuhaya lawmaker Omboko Milemba and other ANC politicians.
On his part, Governor Timamy, who took over the mantle after the former Vice President was picked by President William Ruto to be the Prime Cabinet Secretary, explained that Gikuru had attended interviews for the position of Chief Assistant Secretary (CAS) prior to her confirmation.
The outgoing ANC Secretary General Simon Gikuru congratulated the incoming SG and assured her of his full support.
"I take this early opportunity to congratulate Hon. Beatrice Adagala for her appointment as the Acting Secretary General of the ANC Party.
“As your predecessor be assured of my full support and a smooth transition. Congratulations!" noted Gikuru.
Merger Effect
Pressure is mounting on ANC and other Kenya Kwanza affiliate parties to fold and join Ruto's United Democratic Alliance (UDA) ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Days after being appointed UDA's Secretary General, Cleophas Malala ruffled feathers when he gave Kenya Kwanza's partner parties until August to dissolve and join UDA.
“You cannot be in Cabinet and still belong to another political party. That is contempt to our President. All parties in Kenya Kwanza must dissolve, join UDA, and have just one strong party,” a tough-talking Malala stated.
The announcement appears to have caused a political earthquake within ANC, a party that 'belongs' to Mudavadi. After the announcement, Malala met the Secretaries General of ANC and Ford Kenya, Gikuru, and Chris Wamalwa.
"Having a consultative meeting with SG's of Kenya Kwanza founding parties Ford Kenya and ANC. We are committed to helping President William Ruto achieve his development agenda," the former Kakamega Senator remarked.
It is not clear if Gikuru's meeting with Malala had the blessings of the party and whether it led to his unceremonious ouster.
Downplaying Fallout
Adagala maintained that the ANC party fully supported the Kenya Kwanza administration. She noted that their plan as members of the coalition was to see Kenyans live a dignified life and children get an education.
The party, led by the Prime CS has downplayed any looming fallout. On Thursday, March 9, addressing the People Dialogue Festival at National Museum in Nairobi, Mudavadi was categorical that the merger of Kenya Kwanza was not a priority.
“There are democratic processes rooted in the constitution to guide such a process if it becomes necessary. We have the drought and dealing with the pending bills. The issue of the merger is at the bottom of priority,” Mudavadi clarified.
It was the first time the Prime CS was addressing the matter, even though ANC held a crisis meeting after Malala's announcement, trashing calls to dissolve small parties.
Ruto has remained tight-lipped on the matter, with pundits arguing it could be a break or make for the ruling coalition.
