Weta plots to edge out Mudavadi as Luhya 'king'

National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula’s Ford Kenya party has firmly rejected calls to dissolve the party and merge with President William Ruto’s UDA, declaring it will remain independent ahead of the 2027 elections.

In a bold resolution by party honchos over the weekend, Wetang’ula reaffirmed his commitment to preserve the independence of one of the country’s oldest political parties.

The Ford Kenya boss at the same time unveiled plans to revamp and breathe new life into the Lion party in what could be an aggressive attempt to take over as the Western Kenya political supremo.

In a new strategy, Ford Kenya plans to inherit areas, especially in Luhyaland, ‘orphaned’ following the dissolution of ANC to join with the ruling party’s United Democratic Alliance.

Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has been left as a mere bureaucrat in Ruto’s team after he allowed his ANC party to fold and team up with UDA.

Apart from Wetangu'la, other leaders positioning themselves as Western Kenya kingpins are DAP-K party leader Eugene Wamalwa and Cooperatives Cabinet Secretary Wicliffe Oparanya.

Ford Kenya also resolved to field candidates in all elective positions in the upcoming by-elections.

The decision is likely to put the outfit at war with other parties affiliated to the Kenya Kwanza coalition, including Ruto’s UDA.

By rejecting the merger, Wetang’ula risks straining ties with the UDA leadership but observers suggest he is prepared for that fallout, confident that Ford Kenya’s independence will allow for stronger bargaining power in 2027 and beyond.

Speaking to the Star, Ford Kenya secretary general and Tongaren MP John Chikati termed the merger push politically misguided, saying Ford Kenya’s identity and legacy should not be traded for short-term political relevance.

Chikati stated unequivocally that while Ford Kenya will maintain its alliance with UDA under the Kenya Kwanza banner, it has no intention of being absorbed into Ruto's party.

"Ford Kenya cannot and will not dissolve and join any other party. The thought of dissolution is not there. We are focused on building Ford Kenya's capacity as an independent outfit," Chikati told the Star. 

The decision was made during a high-level meeting of the party's management committee and national executive committee at Sentrim Elementaita, Niavasha, over the weekend.

The meeting was chaired by Wetang’ula.It was attended by the Ford Kenya elected governor, MPs, MCAs and top officials of the party.

The rejection of the merger marks a sharp political departure from the growing push within Kenya Kwanza to consolidate power under a single political brand.

Sources close to the alliance had earlier indicated that Ruto was keen to rally all affiliate parties under the UDA banner in a bid to solidify his 2027 re-election strategy.

The party, Kenya's second oldest, is instead preparing to flex its political muscle in upcoming by-elections, with plans to field candidates in all vacant seats including Malava, Ugunja and Banissa.

“We have already identified candidates; we are now working on the strategies to deliver those seats,” Chikati said.

“We are going to field candidates for all the vacant positions in the coming by-elections in both parliamentary and civic seats.”

A special committee has been tasked with identifying strongholds ahead of 2027, particularly in regions like Turkana, Nandi, Vihiga and Kilifi and West Pokot where discontent with other parties has created opportunities. 

“National Executive Committee (NEC), we resolved, will start mapping out electoral areas where Ford Kenya will field candidates,” Chikati noted.

In a bid to attract younger voters, Ford Kenya has launched an ambitious rebranding exercise that will include a new logo, colours and slogan.

According to Chikati, the rebranding will focus on among others the party’s slogan, logo and even the colour.

“We want to really rebrand completely and make sure we are in consistence with the youths. The perception out there is that Ford Kenya is an old party and that is why we want to give it a new image,” Chikati said.

The party has also adopted a youth charter and plans to establish chapters in universities and colleges across the country. 

According to the Naivasha resolution, the rebranding should be complete in the next 30 days.

The announcement comes as Ford Kenya's current cooperation agreement with UDA is set to expire in 2027.

While reaffirming its commitment to the Kenya Kwanza government, the party made clear it intends to negotiate future alliances from a position of strength rather than being swallowed up by its larger partner. 

Political analysts see the move as an attempt by party leader Wetang'ula to maintain Ford Kenya's relevance and bargaining power, particularly given his position as National Assembly Speaker.

"This is about preserving political capital," said analyst Linda Musundi. "Wetang'ula knows Ford Kenya's value lies in being a distinct entity that can deliver votes, not just another name absorbed into UDA." 

With the 2027 elections looming, Ford Kenya's declaration of independence sets the stage for potentially complex coalition negotiations.

This is even as it continues to work with Ruto's administration in the short term.

The party's ability to rebuild its base and attract new supporters will determine whether it can remain a kingmaker in Kenya's evolving political landscape.

Political analysts say the speaker’s stance is not just a defense of party autonomy—it’s a calculated move to reposition Ford Kenya as a formidable force in the Western bloc, which remains a key battleground.

“Ford Kenya has a lot of strength in West Pokot, Turkana, Nandi, Vihiga, Kilif iand Kwale counties where ANC has folded,” the Tongaren MP disclosed.

The Ruto-led UDA officially completed its merger with Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi’s Amani National Congress party in January this year.

There are, however, reports that link Mudavadi to a new political party - Umoja Summit Party (USP) , an outfit that emerged days after ANC dissolved and had his former allies as officials.

Mudavadi has dismissed the reports, insisting he is firmly in the government under the Kenya Kwanza Alliance Administration.

"Mudavadi believes in high ideals of unity and cohesion and the move to merge his ANC party with the President’s UDA party was voluntary and was endorsed by the party members," the director of press service in his office, Jacob Ng’etich, said.

"Mudavadi remains committed to his government's responsibility of diligently serving the people of Kenya and has absolutely no intention of joining another political outfit."

INSTANT ANALYSIS

National Assembly’s Speaker Moses Wetang’ula decision not to merge with Ruto’s UDA and instead rebrand is seen as a strategy to win Western, especially after the folding of the Musalia Mudavadi’s ANC party. Ford Kenya is thus strategically positioning itself to remain a viable outfit that the Western bloc can associate with.