Khalwale dismisses calls for Ford parties talks

By Peter Atsiaya

New Ford-Kenya spokesman Bonny Khalwale has rejected attempts for fresh talks with Ford-Kenya aimed at merging the two parties.

Dr Khalwale, the Ikolomani MP, said the party would turn down bids to have it dissolved.

He was reacting to claims by Foreign Affairs Minister Moses Wetang’ula, who recently said plans were underway to launch talks.

Addressing party delegates from Nyanza last week in Kisumu, Mr Wetangula had said there was need to bring together parties that broke from the mainstream Ford.

They include Ford-Asili, Ford-People and New Ford-Kenya.

But yesterday, Khalwale said it was Ford-Kenya that needed New Ford-Kenya and not the other way round.

"New Ford-Kenya has more representation in Parliament and civic bodies than Ford-Kenya. So, who should dissolve and merge with the other?" asked Khalwale.

The MP said the minister’s utterances underrated New Ford-Kenya.

He added that Ford-Kenya ‘died’ when its leadership agreed to be swallowed by PNU.