Ford-Kenya noncommittal on links with ODM

By Roselyne Obala

When Ford-Kenya party leader Moses Wetangula spoke at the burial of veteran politician Martin Shikuku in Kiminini last weekend, he made bold political statements.

“If anyone thinks he can win the presidency because he is a Luhya, then he is mistaken,” he said in Kiswahili.

Though the Trade Minister did not mention names, his tough political talk was telling.

 His party, one of the country’s oldest political outfits, is determined to remain relevant and Wetangula appears keen on finding significant space in the unfolding realignments.

On numerous occasions, Ford-Kenya officials have indicated they are ready to work with others parties, but ODM has been notably conspicuous.

There have been strong signals the party is warming up to ‘working’ with Prime Minister Raila Odinga, although its officials, including Secretary General Eseli Simiyu and Wetangula have repeatedly denied this.

But Esseli maintains they can never rule out possible alliances or pre-election pacts with like-minded outfits.

Party decision

“In case of any political arrangement, we must rope in the National Executive Council members and discuss it at the National Delegates Conference,” he says.

Esseli says that while the Prime Minister, who is also the ODM party leader was in Turkana recently, he mooted the idea for an alliance with Ford-Kenya.

Ford-Kenya chairman and Labour Minister John Munyes also indicated that as a party, they are ready to work with ODM.

“We are thinking along those lines. We might buy the PM’s idea, but after careful considerations. As a party, we are not new to alliances since we have done it before. Ford-Kenya has been a pillar in the past and no party can afford to rule us out now,” Esseli says.

Assistant minister Bifwoli Wakoli, who is eyeing the presidency on a Ford-Kenya ticket, says they cannot rule out anything, adding he is confortable working with ODM MPs.

“I have no problem with ODM leaders since we get along well,” he says. A political analyst Egara Kabaji expects political re-alignments ahead of the March General Election.

“Re-alignments have just began and we expect many. When the truth downs on majority of the presidential contenders that they may not sustain their campaigns, they will opt for mergers,” he noted.

Prof Kabaji of Masinde Muliro University argues that pushing through with presidential campaigns might prove tough for many.

 “Ford-Kenya’s merge with ODM will destabilise Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi’s support especially in Bungoma region, which has the Bukusu, the largest sub-tribe of the Luhya community,” he said.

Massive support

He says talks of an alliance between Ford-Kenya and ODM recognises majority of the Luhya still support the Orange party.

Bondo University College’s Samuel Okuro says Raila and Wetangula have always worked closely and it will be easy for the two to get along.

“As Ford-Kenya struggle to get relevance in the political landscape in Western, joining forces with ODM will give it a good posting,” he said.

Dr Okuro says if ODM were to settle for Mudavadi’s replacement in Western region from another party, Wetangula would be next in the queue.

Luhya Council of Elders advisory council member Lukas Wata says the Luhya would most likely follow the prophesy of prophet Elijah Masinde.

He said Masinde prophesised leadership for Western would come from the lake and, therefore, they would continue to back the PM’s presidential ambition.

“We want the two parties to work together. We as elders want our people not to be deceived,” he added.