President Uhuru Kenyatta has welcomed New Ford Kenya party into his coalition and praised its leaders for making the “right” decision.
Uhuru met party chairman Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka and other members of the dissolved party at State House in Nairobi on Wednesday.
Among those he hosted were former Cabinet ministers Musikari Kombo and Fred Gumo, Water CS Eugene Wamalwa and former Bumula MP Bifwoli Wakoli.
Uhuru said the members’ decision will pavé the way for other political parties with similar intentions.
“I assure you we will also merge our parties. The issues of the law which had delayed us have now been resolved,” he said.
The President said that for the first time in Kenya’s history, leaders are keen on forming a party with a national outlook.
“We don’t want to kill the opposition. All we want is for our politics to be on issues that are not tribal,” he said.
“We have no interest finishing the opposition. We challenge our colleagues in the opposition to also set up a national party so that we can compete on policies and not on tribal grounds.”
He noted that parties with national visions allow the public to select one with better programmes and agenda.
The President asked New Ford Kenya to familiarise with Jubilee’s agenda to keep abreast of the government’s activities.
“The Jubilee agenda is their agenda and they should be able to discuss it with their supporters and answer any questions which may be asked,” said Uhuru.
Lusaka said they took the “bold move” to unite all Kenyans and move the country forward.
He said the decision to fold the party was unanimous and that they were happy to join Jubilee and be part of the government transforming Kenya.
Kombo, who is chairman of the Water Services Trust Fund, said the party has led the way.
“We look forward to seeing other parties take the merger decision,” he said.
Gumo praised New Ford Kenya’s leadership saying politics involves making bold decisions.
“It is always good and beneficial to take the first step in politics. Those who take things for granted live to regret,” said Gumo.
Bifwoli thanked the President for appointing him chairman of the Agriculture Development Cooperation and said he supported the party’s move.
Also present were MPs Reginalda Wanyonyi, Boniface Okhiya Otsiula, Daniel Sitati Wanyama, Janet Nangabo, Kennedy Wamang’oli and David Were.
