Ford Kenya rejects calls to fold ahead of '27 polls

Ford Kenya has pushed back against what it describes as “consistent and sustained” threats from leaders within the ruling Kenya Kwanza coalition.

The party warned against attempts to force affiliate parties into dissolution ahead of the 2027 general election.

In a statement, secretary general John Chikati singled out recent remarks by Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei, who called on smaller parties within the Kenya Kwanza to fold and merge with UDA.

Chikati termed the comments “outrageous” and warned that they pose a direct threat to Kenya’s democratic foundations.

“Ford Kenya cannot and will not be dissolved. It can only be enhanced and protected for future generations,” he said.

The party accused some UDA leaders of projecting political dominance prematurely, suggesting they have already secured victory in the 2027 elections without the support of coalition partners.

According to Chikati, such a posture disregards the collective effort that brought the current administration to power in 2022.

“This narrative is a blatant dismissal of reality. Ford Kenya, alongside other affiliate parties, played a vital and decisive role in securing the current administration’s mandate,” he said.

He further likened the calls for dissolution to “biting the finger that once fed you,” arguing that it portrays affiliate parties as expendable tools used solely to ascend to power.

The statement also raised concerns about what it described as a growing push towards a single-party system, warning that such a move would reverse gains made in Kenya’s multiparty democracy.

“The calls for a single-party monolith are a regressive attempt to return Kenyans to the dark days of political stifling. Multipartyism allows citizens to participate in governance through diverse ideologies,” Chikati said.

He emphasised that any effort to dismantle Kenya’s multiparty framework must follow constitutional processes, including a referendum, rather than coercion or political intimidation.

Ford Kenya also pointed to recent political developments following the dissolution of parties such as Amani National Congress (ANC) into UDA, arguing that forced mergers have led to disillusionment among members.

The party claimed that some politicians have since found themselves “politically homeless,” triggering defections and instability within the coalition.

“Forced mergers do not create unity; they create resentment and instability,” Chikati said.

The party maintained that its leadership holds the organisation in trust for Kenyans and has neither the moral nor legal authority to dissolve it. It also warned of long-term consequences, questioning what would happen after President William Ruto completes his term.

“If we establish a precedent where parties are swallowed at the whim of the ruling elite, we jeopardise the stability of our nation,” the statement read.

The remarks come days after  Cherargei reportedly warned that leaders of parties that fail to merge into UDA by 2027 risk being excluded from appointments in the next government.

In response, Ford Kenya urged its coalition partners to abandon what it termed premature and divisive political realignments and instead focus on delivering on promises made to Kenyans.

“Our energy should be spent fulfilling the pledges we made to the people, not engaging in unnecessary political battles,” Chikati said.