Lusaka: Ford-K will renegotiate its stake in Kenya Kwanza

Ford Kenya has announced preparations for its grassroots elections to be held in April, even as it readies to negotiate for a fresh stake in the ruling coalition, ahead of the next General Election.

Ford Kenya Deputy Party Leader Kenneth Lusaka made the remarks as he affirmed that the party remains in Kenya Kwanza and will also support President William Ruto’s re-election next year.

Lusaka, who was accompanied by party Secretary General Dr John Chikati and other members, also affirmed that they welcome other parties like Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) to the coalition, noting that political parties should not be a reason for divisions.

But even as they support Kenya Kwanza, Chikati reiterated that they party will not fold.

“I think what is happening is that the various committees have mandated their political parties to go ahead and initiate negotiations. As Ford Kenya, this is the management team, we will also start those negotiations. We will also go and negotiate for what we can get,” said Lusaka, in a press conference held yesterday, at the party offices.

“So as it is now, whatever being said that they (ODM) are negotiating for the position of the Deputy President is speculation. But even as we go through the negotiations, we will also agree on what our stake will be in those negotiations,” Lusaka explained when asked what positions they will be seeking in the Kenya Kwanza coalition.

With Chikati adding: “Political party formation should not be a reason for divisiveness. Ford Kenya is very happy to be in Kenya Kwanza coalition and in this coalition we welcome other brothers and parties from other areas. We want Kenya to remain as one. It is in that reason that we have ODM joining the broad-based coalition.”

Chikati said the grassroots elections are aimed at strengthening party structures from the polling stations, ward constituencies and county levels.

He said the party will be seeking to refill those positions where members may have moved to other parties, or members are deceased in addition to general reorganizing the party, which is normal in any party which is active.

Chikati explained that Ford Kenya has been on the scene since 1992 and is the second oldest party and it has been normal, that every year there must be refilling of party positions, grassroots elections, as the country move towards the elections.

“Any election has pull and push, which is normal in any political, democratic activity. So, we are prepared for it. We have a strong board, elections board and we are looking forward to conducting these elections, starting from April, and it will end with a National delegates conference

He explained that by ODM joining the broad-based government does not mean that Ford Kenya is going out, saying that the party is within that arrangement framework to help develop the country under the manifesto of the Kenya Kwanza government.

Meanwhile they dismissed reports that the Speaker of the National Assembly, Moses Wetang’ula has been unwell, saying that some people are determined to spread malicious rumors.

“The party leader has been in India, very active. He went to Naivasha. Today (Wednesday), he has chaired the meeting, the management meeting of Ford Kenya. He is very healthy. And whoever is wishing him sick or dead is doing it from a very malicious point of view. He has gone to meet an ambassador in his office. And you will see him,” Chikati explained.

Lusaka also dispelled claims surrounding his role to coordinate Western region, at least for now, saying it does not mean that anybody else has been demeaned.

“You know that our party leader is the Speaker of the National Assembly and Musalia Mudavadi is the Prime Cabinet Secretary. Therefore, their offices, as they hold now, does not give them a lot of latitude to come and start all the processes of campaigning for the President,” Lusaka said.

He also affirmed: “We have just started. As we progress, more people are going to join the fray. And at the end of it all, our aim is to campaign for President William Ruto to be elected a second time. So it does not mean that anybody is being brought down or demeaned.”