FORD KENYA SHOULD NOT REPEAT THE REFERENDUM MISTAKE

As Kenyans prepare to go to election towards the end of this year, the positions taken by the various leaderships of political parties will determine whether the specific parties will be in the next government or in the opposition. So far as many parties strategize to make alliances of political convenience, Ford Kenya remains in unpredictable situation with contradicting statements from its national leadership. While the party constitution endorses the chairman to be its presidential candidate, it’s so disturbing that up to date the party has not made any concrete or official communication on whether Hon.Musikari Kombo is seeking presidency, supporting president Kibaki or looking for another alternative. It’s not long ago that in November 2005 the party delayed making a decision on the constitution referendum about which side to support and when it made that decision, it came out to be one against the wishes of the majority of Kenyans. So as a party we voted for the yes (banana) side which the majority of Kenyans rejected. The leadership of that time has not changed and it’s hard to believe that that leadership will advice its membership to vote for the popular presidential candidate that majority of Kenyans will support. It must be understood that majority of Ford Kenya membership has not tasted any benefits of being in the Kibaki government; a few appointments shouldn’t be used to hoodwink the party to support the incumbent for the second term, unless comprehensive reasons are given. It must also be noted that Ford Kenya as a party has been given a raw deal as far as the Vice Presidency is concerned since the demise of our beloved Michael Kijana Wamalwa in 2003.we voted overwhelmingly for the banana hoping that the president was going to reciprocate our support for the government by appointing either Hon.Musikari Kombo or Hon.Mukhisa Kituyi as his vice president. It’s therefore obvious that the party membership can not take another false promise of vice presidency in the Kibaki administration. All that the party got were a few positions for a few individuals. It’s so disappointing that the party chairman was contented and so proud of those appointments whose impact to the party membership is yet to be seen. The party chairman has perfected the art of horse trading by getting appointments of a few people to government positions and therefore proclaiming to be part of the government. Its saddening that in 2002, we supported Kibaki with an understanding that president Kibaki was the first among equals; including Hon. Wamalwa Kijana and Hon. Charity Ngilu (while forming NAK), but unfortunately the developments immediately after the 2002 general elections, indicate that Ford Kenya has always been treated as an inferior partner in the ruling coalition tubned government of national unity and can only get left overs. That is why it’s important for the party leadership to explain to the members on under 7hat circumstances should we support which presidential candidate. It’s therefore important that the party leadership focuses on an alliance that can respect the party and also assure members that we are NOT being pushed to be in the opposition from January 2008. It’s a known fact that the party will be the main loocer in the forthcoming election if it doesn’t consult its membership before making a decision to support any presidential candidate or field its own. The wishes of party members should be given priority. Therefore it’s wrong for the chairman to proclaim sup`ort of any other presidential candidate without formally consulting the party membership. Ford Kenya through Hon Noah Wekesa and Hon.Wafula Wamunyinyi have already initiated talks with other “like minded” parties to form a coalition for the re-election of His Excellency president Kibaki while the party chairman sometimes claims to be in the presidential race and sometimes claims to be supporting the incumbent president. Which one is the right direction for the party members? Is Kombo running or supporting Kibaki? If he is supporting Kibaki, under what kind of agreement is he supporting him? Is it merely for horse trading? Given the developments in the Kenyan political landscape, Is Kibaki the right horse for Ford Kenya? Kibaki’s presidential campaigns are said to be already in full gear. Narc Kenya has already overtaken everyone in campaigning for Kibaki. The Ford Kenya party leadership should make sure that the mistakes during the referendum are not repeated. It’s important for the party leadership to make a decision that is consistent with the majority of Kenyans and in favour of party members, lest we repeat the mistake we did during the referendum. So, who is the Ford Kenya horse? FWAMBA NC FWAMBA BOX 41046-00100 NAIROBI +254721779445