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Cracks emerging within the working arrangement between ODM and UDA parties at the Coast have prompted another political outfit to move quickly to take advantage of the situation.

With the Coast-based Pamoja African Alliance (PAA) being “swallowed” by UDA, some leaders at the Coast are pushing for another political formation.

The little-known Kadu Asili, formed in 2006 and which participated in the 2007, 2013, 2017 and 2022 general election, has been revived.

The party won one seat in the 2007 elections. Newly elected officials now promise to make it vibrant and forward-looking.

Newly appointed party leader Mudzo Nzili, a former Knut chair, said the party will take over the mantle from PAA as the Coast’s biggest champion as it works to popularise itself nationally.

He spoke after its first official National Delegates Conference since its revamp in Mombasa on Saturday.

PAA, under the leadership of Senate Speaker Amason Kingi, recently ‘folded’ after pressure from President William Ruto’s UDA party.

On April 7, Kingi confirmed the party will not field any candidates in the 2027 general election, effectively ‘folding’ it.

However, the Senate Speaker insisted the party would not fold but rather take a hiatus, indicating it could be revived if the country’s future leadership fails to fulfil the demands of the coastal region.

On Saturday, Nzili said the party would honour the vision of the founding members of the original Kadu party, which was formed in 1960 under the leadership of Coast political supremo Ronald Ngala.

These included former president Daniel Moi, Masinde Muliro and Taita Toett, among others.

“This confirms that Kadu Asili, as a son of Kadu, is not a regional party but a national one — a party that will have offices all over the country,” Nzili said.

He said the drafters of the current constitution borrowed heavily from the original Kadu Asili’s aims and objectives.

However, he noted that Kenya is not heading in the direction the founding fathers of the nation had in mind.

He criticised the way security organs are being used to fight political wars instead of ensuring the safety of citizens, saying this disregards Article 239 of the constitution.

“That is why those youth, the Gen Zs, were killed by the very security organs that are meant to protect them,” Nzili said.

He vowed that Kadu Asili would observe the national values and principles of governance as enshrined in Article 10 of the constitution.

The former Knut boss also recognised the vibrant and awakened young population that is demanding accountability and inclusivity in leadership.

“These youth give us the strength to walk with them as we seek to liberate this country from the yoke of corruption, nepotism, marginalisation and exclusion, and the plundering of public resources,” Nzili said.

He said the party is open to working with like-minded political formations and will field candidates for all elective positions except the presidency, while expanding its grassroots presence across the country.

Nzili also warned independent constitutional commissions against acting at the behest of powerful individuals in government, saying this erodes public trust and weakens democracy.

Newly appointed Kadu Asili secretary general Baha Nguma said the party will embark on an aggressive rebranding campaign to position itself strategically ahead of the 2027 general election.

Nguma said this would require the goodwill of the people of the Coast region and others across the country.

He added that, like any other political party in Kenya, they will work towards gaining power by partnering with like-minded political formations.

“We will work towards ensuring the monster of corruption is slain and that the government exists to serve citizens diligently, with integrity and while upholding basic human rights,” Nguma said.

Democratic National Alliance deputy party leader Matano Chengo said they will work with Kadu Asili and other like-minded political formations for the benefit of Coastal people and Kenyans at large.

He warned against any attempts to swallow DNA or Kadu Asili, saying they would not fall into the same trap as PAA.

“We have seen the way President Ruto’s manoeuvring is working to destabilise the Coast region politically. He has already killed PAA and is working to kill ODM. We will not accept the same fate,” Chengo said.

INSTANT ANALYSIS

Kadu Asili is banking on Mudzo Nzili’s strength as a trade unionist to make the party vibrant and popular as it repositions itself to fill the void left by PAA, which is being swallowed by UDA.