Ford Kenya won't fold, to remain in ruling alliance, party leaders say

Ford Kenya Deputy Party Leader Kenneth Lusaka. [File, Standard]

Ford Kenya, the second-oldest party after Kanu, has declared it will not fold as anticipated but will maintain a stake in government, through a coalition.

On Wednesday, Ford Kenya Deputy Party Leader Kenneth Lusaka and Secretary General John Chikati made the declaration after a central management committee meeting, saying the Lion party has stood the test of time.

Mr Chikati said reports had initially indicated that parties in the ruling coalition would fold into one but stated that theirs can only expand.

“There was a rumour of folding parties. First, nobody came to us to ask us to fold our party. Even if they would have asked us, Ford Kenya cannot fold. The Deputy Party leader has said Ford Kenya is the second oldest party in the country after Kanu,” said Chikati, after the meeting at the party headquarters.

He added: “We shall continue to exist. Some emerging parties will leave Ford Kenya in the arena. We are not folding, we can only expand and increase and leave this party for the next generation.”

Mr Lusaka said some parties are only formed during election period and soon exit the scene but Ford Kenya is not one of them. He said it will continue to stand firm and can only be in a coalition with other like-minded parties.

“Ford Kenya is a rock party. It has been there, it is going to be there, it is a national party. We are not about to fold, we can only be in a coalition with other parties whom we share like minds. We are still here, hatubanduki. Most political leaders have been in Ford Kenya like Raila Odinga, James Orengo, Anyang’ Nyong’o and Ochilo Ayacko. We are here as a party to stay. It is a heritage. We are not going anywhere,” he affirmed.

They also invited politicians who may have contested and lost in the last elections to the second oldest party and be part of them.

Ford Kenya will therefore not follow in the footsteps of Amani National Congress (ANC), which approved a merger with United Democratic Alliance (UDA) last month. ANC authorised its party leader, Issa Timamy to lead, coordinate and oversee full implementation of the merger with UDA.

Lusaka said they are on a mission to revamp the party but are in support of President William Ruto and the broad based government.

He urged individuals out to derail the President to desist and allow him deliver on key programmes, saying governors will join him today in launching the Social Health Insurance Fund.

Chikati welcomed the move by Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) to join the party, saying it has made the country more stable and has achieved stability, peace and unity. “We are in a politically competitive environment. The entry of ODM to a broad based government is for the better of Ford Kenya, which is a member of the coalition. There is UDA and other parties, we compete but we do not fight,” he said.

He also said in the 2027 election, the party has earmarked critical people who will play a national role, including National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula and Lusaka.

“We want them to go up there and play a national role. We have key people in Ford Kenya whom we are sharpening and they are going to put us at another level as we move forward,” Chikati added.

During the meeting chaired by the party leader, Ford Kenya made several resolutions key among them being rebranding to get a national outlook. The rebranding initiative will be led by Kanduyi MP John Makali and report back to the management committee within a month.

The Secretary General also said a registration drive is underway, with training sessions planned in all 47 counties. “We aim to increase party membership and prepare for upcoming by-elections nationwide and the 2027 General Election,” said Chikati.