Musalia Mudavadi, Prime Cabinet Secretary, has ushered in a new political landscape after his party approved to President William Ruto's merger plan with UDA.
Unlike others in Kenya Kwanza who have refused to fold their parties, the ANC has begun formal merger negotiations with the United Democratic Alliance.
He stated that running candidates against the President's party would be impracticable, which is one of the reasons he agreed to the merger.
Some experts believe the Prime CS's approach will be successful in the end, considering the faith he has garnered from President Ruto in his 2027 game plan.
Mudavadi's strategy, according to Olang' Sana, a Maseno University professor of political science and international relations, has the potential to succeed.
According to the don, Mudavadi's decision is driven by what he gets now rather than what he would get eventually.
"He sees no reason to remove Ruto and hence believes his position will survive for another eight years. His inquiry is: What can I acquire now?
"Collectively, he may have made a mistake but as an individual, he has gained a lot and stands to gain more," Olang told me.
According to the Star, numerous UDA MPs are considering defecting to other parties in the Kenya Kwanza alliance as a result of the decision. Detractors generally argue that if Mudavadi does not have his own party, he will be weak in national cake discussions.
"There is not much Ruto cannot do with Mudavadi without the merger, but a merger will render Mudavadi hapless and probably dash his hopes of ever becoming a president," Omwenga said, a political expert.
"If Mudavadi were wiser, he would stay in the ANC, play dumb about [DP Rigathi] Gachagua, and strive to be his own man. Allowing himself to be played like a guitar and receiving the Presidency are the stuff of legends, he continued.
National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula, his Senate colleague Amason Kingi, and several other prominent leaders have refused to forsake their own parties in favour of a bigger coalition. When asked if Mudavadi's move had paved the way for Kenya Kwanza parties to fold, key Ford Kenya colleagues said no.
It is claimed that with the desire for Mt Kenya unification, the President is doubtful of the region's backing and has so focused his attention on Western Kenya as he seeks new vote blocs.
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