Foreign Affairs Minister Moses Wetangula, addresses members of the public at a past Ford Kenya rally. PHOTO/ FILE
By ERICK NGOBILO engobilo@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted Monday, February 13 2012 at 13:37
Posted Monday, February 13 2012 at 13:37
Ford Kenya party leaders over the weekend announced their intent to withdraw from the PNU alliance and forge a new one with ODM ahead of the General election.
Party leader Moses Wetang’ula, Secretary General Dr. Eseli Simiyu and Cabinet Minister Noah Wekesa said the party will be in the coalition that will form the next government.
They made the remarks at a rally in Bungoma that was attended by ODM MPs Ababu Namwamba and Fred Outa.
Their remarks comes in the wake of a tour by Prime Minster Raila Odinga in the County.
“We are strategizing on the formation of a coalition which will produce the next president of Kenya,” said Wekesa.
“We have nothing to show our people for working with PNU. They have instead fought us and divided our leaders,” said Dr Eseli.
“ODM and Ford Kenya are like conjoined twins who stand for the same principles. We are natural partners,” added Namwamba.
The specifics of the alliance remain fuzzy however, with the Ford Kenya leaders insisting that the party will field contestants in all levels of the elections.
Dr Eseli said the party had lost popularity over the years after failing to field candidates because of entering into coalitions and losing its identity.
“We as Ford Kenya will be on the ballot whether we go into a collation or we go it alone,” said Dr Eseli.
Assistant Minister Bifwoli Wakoli said he is comfortable working with ODM, although such an alliance must be in Ford Kenya's terms.
“They have been our friends. They have supported us when we needed their support most,” said Wakoli.
Mr Wetang’ula said Ford Kenya will fight for the leadership of the country in unity with other likeminded parties.
He said the party will continue to advocate for peace, youth employment and negative ethnicity.
“We are not looking for leadership out of hatred. Our focus is clear and our principles are known,” he said.
The Foreign Affairs Minster pointed out that he will continue advocating for unity and national cohesion ahead of the next elections.
MPs present at the rally took a swipe at presidential hopeful Eugene Wamalwa, whom they said was being used by external forces to divide the Bukusu community.
Budalang’i MP Ababu Namwamba said Mr Wamalwa's alliance with Eldoret North MP William Ruto and Deputy Prime Minster Uhuru Kenyatta is doomed to fail.
Mr Wamalwa is scheduled to host the G7 brigade in Bungoma this weekend.
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