Mudavadi urges Wetang’ula to dissolve FORD-K and join UDA
By Mabonga Makhanu, January 31, 2026Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has urged National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula to dissolve his Ford Kenya party and join the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Speaking during an interview with joint Western Kenya media stations on Friday, January 30, 2025, Mudavadi said that having recently folded his Amani National Congress (ANC) party to join the ruling party, he believes Wetang’ula should take a similar path.
The Prime Cabinet Secretary said the decision to fold Ford Kenya rests solely with the Speaker but maintained that UDA remains the best political vehicle, arguing that it is the only party with a national outlook.
He added that if Wetang’ula does not heed the call, emerging political dynamics ahead of the 2027 and 2032 elections will ultimately shape the outcome.
“Wetang’ula na chama chake hata sasa ananisikiza, lakini uamuzi utakuwa wake. Lakini njia murwa ni tuungane na tuingie kwa chama cha UDA. Asipokuja, siasa zitaamua,” Mudavadi said.
Mudavadi’s presidential ambitions
In the same interview, Mudavadi also declared his interest in the presidency, arguing that the only realistic path for Western Kenya to gain national power is through alignment with UDA.
He said the party offers easier access to national support, particularly from the Rift Valley region.
Mudavadi likened UDA to a ferry while describing smaller parties in the region as canoes. He cited the ongoing aspirant registration exercise, noting that more than 780 aspirants from Western Kenya have already registered to contest on UDA tickets in 2027, a level of support he said no other party in the region enjoys.
Proposed Western alliance
His remarks come days after Wetang’ula, while speaking at a funeral service in Trans Nzoia County, hinted at a possible political pact between himself, Mudavadi, and Cooperatives and SMEs Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya.
The proposed alliance, he said, would be aimed at mobilising Western Kenya to support President William Ruto’s re-election bid in 2027.
Wetang’ula also called on Democratic Action Party–Kenya (DAP-K) leader Eugene Wamalwa to abandon the opposition and join the trio, saying unity would give the region stronger bargaining power ahead of the 2027 elections.
Wamalwa later said he was open to engaging with like-minded leaders for the sake of the community.
FORD-K’s refusal to fold
This also comes months after Ford Kenya Secretary General and Tongaren Member of Parliament John Chikati openly dismissed calls for Ford Kenya to fold and join UDA in the future, saying the party would remain intact.
He stated that there were no plans by the party or its members to dissolve or join other parties, adding that Ford Kenya would continue to be part of the Kenya Kwanza alliance as a standalone party.