ANC, Ford-K planned merger good for western region

Barrack Muluka. [File/Standard]

Plans to merge Amani National Congress (ANC) and Ford-Kenya parties have been finalised by experts.

ANC Secretary General Barrack Muluka (pictured) and former Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale said they were close to sealing the deal.

According to Mr Muluka, NASA co-principals Musalia Mudavadi and Moses Wetang’ula are committed to the unity pact.

“The two leaders are keen on forming a single political party with a national outlook to help galvanise the Western region and appeal to all Kenyans,” Muluka told The Standard, yesterday.

Muluka, a political technocrat and commentator, said he was optimistic the resolve to fold the parties would be achieved.

Careful thought

“It is an idea that has been carefully thought out and both Mudavadi and Wetang’ula are taking it very seriously,” he said.

He echoed sentiments by ANC National Chairman Kelvin Lunani that the party remains strong and focused on the merger plans despite complaints from a few disgruntled members.

Dr Khalwale, who is the Ford-Kenya deputy party leader, encouraged Mudavadi and Wetang’ula to soldier on with their resolve to unite the Western region ahead of the 2022 General Election.

Last week, Mudavadi, the ANC leader, dismissed those branding his party and Ford-Kenya as regional political outfits, saying the two parties had picked experts to spearhead the merger process had done a good job.

Wetang’ula urged residents to back the initiative.