Ford Kenya part secretary general David Eseli has said party members and leaders intend to take the party back to the people and away from cartels. Speaking to the press in Nairobi shortly after presenting the party documents to the Registrar of Political Parties, Eseli said poor leadership and personal initiative have led to the party’s lack of growth.
His sentiments reflect the divide within Ford Kenya and the struggle for the control of the party. On Sunday, a section of leaders led by Bungoma Governor Wycliffe Wangamati, Tongaren MP David Eseli, Kanduyi MP Wafula Wamunyinyi announced the removal of Bungoma Senator Moses Wetangula as the party leader, and the appointment of Wamunyinyi as the interim party leader. However, hours later Wetangula dismissed the claims and the subsequent NEC meeting that led to the decision, in turn suspending Eseli and Wamunyinyi from the party.
Eseli has once again faulted Wetangula saying he made decisions without involving party members, “We want to take it(the party) away from cartels that have used this party as a shop to gain financial or whatever benefit at a loss to the party membership.” He said Kenyans should know the party still puts Kenyans’ interest first, and that all interests should be for the community, “When personal interests take over, it’s conmanship.”
He said Wamunyinyi was chosen as a worthy interim party leader because of his deep and old ties with Ford Kenya, “He knows the ideals of this party, they are engrained in his DNA.” He further affirmed that the party will support President Uhuru Kenyatta’s efforts to revive the economy, as he is facing tough circumstances occasioned by the Covid-19 pandemic, floods problem among others. The party will still play the opposition role but they won’t unnecessarily disrupt any programs geared towards the recovery of the economy, he said.
