Ford Kenya youth respond to Malala over push for party merger

By Peter Ochieng

Youth aligned to Ford Kenya have offered a response to United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Secretary General Cleophas Malala, over his calls for folding of Kenya Kwanza parties ahead of the 2027 polls.

Over five parties among them UDA, Ford Kenya and Amani National Congress (ANC) formed the Kenya Kwanza Alliance ahead of the 2022 polls, propelling William Ruto to the presidency.

However, Malala has been pushing for the folding of the parties, so that they go to the polls in 2027 as UDA party.

But addressing members of the press at the Ford Kenya headquarters in Nairobi on Tuesday, youth within the Lion party said their party will not be folded.

Led by Ford Kenya youth president Musa Chekai, they said folding Ford Kenya was not part of the deal or bargain ahead of the 2022 or 2027 polls.

"There is no article in the agreement which says that we should fold our parties to join UDA. I don't know where Cleophas Malala is getting this because I see him moving around telling us to fold our parties," said Chekai.

His sentiments were echoed by Jane Achieng, youth leader, Nairobi county.

"And one word I want to say to Cleophas Malala is that you will not threaten us. As Ford Kenya we are not ready to dissolve our party to join UDA. If you lack a job to do, kindly join Ford Kenya," she said.

The party is headed by National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula. ANC party officials have also dismissed Malala's push to have the party associated with Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, be dissolved.

Over the weekend, Malala re-ignited calls for ANC and FORD Kenya parties to dissolve and join UDA. He said the move will make UDA a formidable force in the 2027.

"This time round we must prioritise our community. We must be strategic. And the only way Luhyas will get to the top is by joining a national party. I want to urge the Luhya community to join the ruling national party which is UDA."

The UDA SG spoke in Kakamega when he received former Bungoma Governor Wycliffe Wangamati.

He jumped ship from DAP- Kenya.