A significant legal challenge has emerged for President William Ruto's Kenya Kwanza coalition following a High Court ruling that nullified the merger between the Amani National Congress (ANC) Party and the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party. This decision has been characterized as a substantial "legal landmine" for the ruling alliance, introducing uncertainty regarding its political framework and stability.

Stephen Mutoro, who successfully challenged the merger in court, has since installed himself as the interim party leader of the Amani National Congress. Following the High Court's verdict, Mutoro promptly declared the merger agreement between the two parties "legally dead." He further announced plans to unveil a temporary party leadership team within two weeks, with a crucial mandate to reconsider ANC’s ongoing relationship with the UDA party.

The High Court's nullification of the merger has not only generated legal ramifications but has also elicited sharp reactions across Western Kenya, a region where the ANC holds notable political influence. This ruling arrives at a critical juncture amidst broader political realignments occurring throughout the country. Despite the significant legal implications, some former ANC party officials have suggested that the court's decision has largely been "overtaken by political events on the ground," implying that current political realities may supersede the formal legality of the merger. Nevertheless, the ruling undeniably reintroduces a layer of unpredictability into Kenya's political landscape and the coherence of the Kenya Kwanza coalition.