February 12th 2025.

The emergence of Umoja Summit Party a political outfit that is currently being led by former Mudavadi allies is causing political jitters in Western Kenya and Kenya at large .

The choice of having one Godfrey Kanoti as the party leader and scholar and communication expert Barack Muluka as the outfits secretary general is causing political unrest in the nation.

Many questions are now being raised, could this be Mudavadi’s fall back plan should the ANC -UDA merger encounter turbulence?
Www.goodmorningkenya.com spoke to the party leader of USP seeking to know what may have lead him into assuming the leadership of USP inspite of his long standing relationship with Mudavadi.

“Kenya is a multi-party state and Kenyans are free to form or join any political party of their choice. Hon Mudavadi remains a friend and a brother and we at USP wish him well, all we want is a political vehicle that will allow those who profess the same thoughts like we do to speak their mind up. We are not in it to oppose anybody but to provide an avenue as provided for by our constitution for fellow Kenyans to speak up” Kanoti said.

www.gooodmorningkenya.com spoke to Kenyans seeking to find out what they thought of USP.

“Those chanting down USP are misplaced. ANC did not merge but was swallowed by UDA. As a democratic entity those who feel like joining UDA are at liberty to do so but those of us who feel discranchised are at liberty to seek accomodation in a political entity that aligns with our thinking and expectations.

Whether this will be seen as a Mudavadi fall back at or not is none of our business. Kenya is a democracy and we all need to participate in the betterment of our democratic space.

So far USP has attracted many sitting MPs who felt disfranchised by the merger and the next election will be a turning point.

According to USP Organising secretary and former CAS in the former regime Hon Eric Wafukho, the political plates have moved and any serious political entity must rethink it’s approach.

“The political dynamics of our nation have shifted, the emergence of Gen Zs and the overall enlightenment of the common mwananchi has raised the bar on who or which political entity can be entrusted with the leadership of our nation. We at USP are only placing ourselves at a vantage position so that when that time comes we may appeal to the electorates” Eric Said.

With Hon Omboko Milemba and lawyer Alutalala Mukwana tasked with midwifing the merger/ take over , many questions still linger.

Did the membership whole heartedly elect to join UDA? What is the residual effect to their agreeing to fold and join?

This and many other questions are what is fueling the turbines of USP.

Umoja Summit Party will most likely be the official choice for the orphans of the Mulembe nation in championing for the regions interest.

So far both former and current members of parliament, senators and governors have started gravitating towards USP.

“The number of both sitting and former MCA’s,MPs, Senators and governors wishing to run on our party is quite amazing. This is only happening before the official launch and rebranding of our party. I can assure you that USP will be a major player in 2027′

usp Party leader Hon Kanoti

Trouble is already brewing in the former ANC stronghold as former ANC officials seek to convert their ofiices into USP offices. This has so far brought into limelight current MPs who are seen as rebelling the status quo. In Vihiga for instance the former ANC sub county office is set to be branded with USP colours soon to be opened by party leader Godfrey Kanoti.

According to PL Kanoti no part of Western Kenya shall be left out on a bid to convert all the Mulembe people into USP supporters.

As he does this, he will only have DAP to contend with and ODM.

But the firebrand Kanoti says
‘our focus is neither on ODM or UDA, we are focused on the political emancipation of our Mulembe nation. Being the second most populous ethnic block we must get what is due to us. USP provides that avenue and all of us must strive to embrace that based on our numbers. I can’t buttress the fact that USP shall field candidates on all the elective positions ” said Kanoti

As we wait for the official rebranding of USP, we can only hope for greater things.