• Chikati replaces former Kiminini lawmaker Chris Wamalwa who was recently appointed as Water and Sanitation CAS by President William Ruto.
• Chikati expressed his gratitude and pledged to elevate the party to new heights, as he spoke to reporters on Sunday.
Image: JULIUS OTIENO
Ford Kenya top organ has settled on Tongaren MP John Chikati as the party's new secretary general.
The party's National Management Committee picked Chikati during a meeting held at Machakos county's Maanzoni lodge.
Chikati replaces former Kiminini lawmaker Chris Wamalwa who was recently appointed as Water and Sanitation CAS by President William Ruto.
Chikati expressed his gratitude and pledged to elevate the party to new heights, as he spoke to reporters on Sunday.
“I want to appreciate the confidence the Ford Kenya party has had in me. We were a number of aspirants who were well able and had what it takes,” Chikati said.
The MP lauded the work done by his predecessor and its contribution to the party’s stature.
"I want to promise the Ford Kenya Party that through their support, I will be able to do what it takes to take the party from where my brother Chris left and take it to another level so that at the end of the day, the members and the country may feel our growth.''
The Tongaren MP assured members that the 'Lion' party will would not be dissolved, but will rather focus on reinforcing itself and the Kenya Kwanza fraternity as the ruling coalition.
He pledged to work closely with the newly appointed team to revitalise the party through extensive consultations, groundwork, networking, lobbying and advocacy to ensure that everyone feels included and contributes to the party's goals and objectives.
The new SG praised the Ford Kenya community and the entire leadership led by party leader, Speaker Moses Wetagula, for their trust and confidence in him.
"As a Secretary General of the Simba party, I will ensure that even in the coming by-elections across the country, we field candidates and win the seats,' he said.
The first time legislator affirmed his commitment to ensure that the party produces a presidential candidate who will lead the country in 2032.
Wamalwa acknowledged that the FK Party is a democratic party that followed proper procedures in appointing the new secretary general and other party officials.
"Ford Kenya party is our party and our heritage that was started by powerful leaders from our community that include the late Masinde Muliro, the late Kijana Wamalwa, the late George Captain, former local government minister Musikari Kombo and our current National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula that we pride in,'' he said.
The former Kiminini MP said he could not continue serving as the party's SG contrary to the party's constitutional provisions.
He said the party's management committee, comprising the party leader, secretary general, chairman, president of the national youth league and women's league professionals caucus had the responsibility of organising a meeting where the newly appointed officials would be introduced.
He added that a handing-over ceremony, where Chikati and other new officials will be given power instruments, will take place soon.
"I want to congratulate Chikati who is a seasoned politician, loyal to the party, bold and brave and development conscious person and tell him that we shall support him to ensure that our party is taken to greater heights,' he said.
Chikati will be deputised by Elizabeth Iminza.
Other top party officials are first deputy party leader and Bungoma Governor Ken Lusaka and second deputy party leader and Kwanza MP Ferdinand Wanyonyi who is also in charge of policy and strategy.
Others are Millicent Abudho, third deputy party leader in charge of mobilisation.
The party's chairperson is Michael Ruhu and he will be deputised by Margret Sabina Wanjala.
The Chief Whip is Hon Majimbo Kalasinga.
Other top officials are Joyce Cheruto (Deputy Vice Treasurer) and Parliamentary Group leader which went to Bungoma Senator David Wafula Wakoli.
MP John Makali was picked to head the party's legal advisory team.
Wakoli expressed confidence that the new team will revitalise the party and increase its membership.
"Our party is the second oldest party in the country and we hope that the new officials will deliver the mandate that has been given to you" he said.
He asked grassroots leaders to embrace the new leaders to help them rejuvenate the party.
Webuye East MP Martin Wanyonyi said that they want Ford Kenya to grow beyond the Western region.
He called on those who did not make it to the leadership positions to support the leaders who have been given leadership roles.
Wanyonyi said that as Ford Kenya leaders, they will ensure that the party takes over the country's leadership from President William Ruto in 2032.
Makali said that the new team will ensure that Ford Kenya is revamped through massive grassroots membership registration.