THE KENYA OPPOSITION DEMOCRATIC UNION PARTY HAS BEEN DISSOLVED AND ITS MEMBERS HAVE JOINED THE GOVERNMENT, BRINGING ABOUT A ONE PARTY STATE IN THE COUNTRY.

MR. NGALA -- LEADER OF THE DEMOCRATIC UNION PARTY -- MADE THE ANNOUNCEMENT ON TUESDAY. THE LEADERS OF THE PARTY WERE WELCOMED INTO THE RULING PARTY BY MR. TOM MBOYA -- THE NATIONAL UNION'S GENERAL SECRETARY. ALSO PRESENT AT THE CEREMONY WERE A NUMBER OF MASAI ELDERS WHO HAD EARLIER DECLARED THEIR SUPPORT FOR MR. KENYATTA'S GOVERNMENT. MR. NGALA WAS CARRIED SHOULDER HIGH INTO THE PARLIAMENT BUILDING BY HIS SUPPORTERS AFTER MAKING THE ANNOUNCEMENT.

THE EMERGENCE OF A ONE-PARTY STATE REMOVES THE LAST OBSTACLE TO THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT BILL WHICH THE GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN TRYING TO PUSH THROUGH PARLIAMENT DECLARING KENYA A REPUBLIC FROM NEXT MONTH. UNTIL THIS WEEK THE DEMOCRATIC UNION PARTY HAS VOICED LOUD DISAPPROVAL OF THE GOVERNMENT'S PLANS TO SWEEP AWAY REGIONAL POWERS FROM THE COUNTRY.

MR. NGALA -- SPEAKING AT A NEWS CONFERENCE IN NAIROBI ON TUESDAY SAID: "THIS IS ONE OF THE TIMES WHEN WE MUST BE PREPARED TO SACRIFICE OUR POLITICAL DIGNITY FOR THE PEACE AND HARMONY OF KENYA."