Ford Kenya Secretary General Dr John Chikati has emphasised the party’s commitment to empowering women in Nairobi County.
Speaking during a gathering of women representatives from all 17 constituencies at the party’s headquarters at Simba House in Nairobi on Thursday, Dr Chikati highlighted the importance of strengthening women’s issues to enhance competitiveness and influence in the city.
“We have met as women from all the 17 constituencies in Nairobi to strengthen their issues and to ensure that we also become competitive and stronger here in Nairobi,” Chikati said.
The Tongaren lawmaker echoed the party’s dedication to fostering a more vibrant political landscape through grassroots engagement and women-focused initiatives.
Dr Chikati outlined Ford Kenya’s strategy to expand its reach through grassroots registration drives and increased women-focused activities.
“As a party, we are going to ensure that the party grows vibrant through many grassroots registration and women’s activities,” he affirmed.
He emphasised the party’s commitment to enhancing women’s participation at all levels of governance.
The secretary-general also condemned the rising cases of violence against women across the country.
The legislator urged the government to take decisive action to protect women’s rights.
“We want to call upon the government to take stern action against those involved in the unnecessary loss of lives in bars, restaurants, and hotels and ensure human rights are respected,” he asserted.
Addressing the issue of gender parity, Dr Chikati expressed concern about the slow progress in implementing the two-thirds gender rule and indicated that Ford Kenya was closely monitoring developments in Parliament.
“The President has issued a memo to Parliament and Senate and lawmakers are looking at it. We will ensure that we lift the numbers of women in both parliaments and county government level to have their numbers lifted in elective politics,” he stated.
Dr Chikati also took the opportunity to respond to Trans Nzoia Governor, George Natembeya, following his recent remarks targeting Ford Kenya Party leader and Speaker of the National Assembly Moses Wetang’ula.
He denounced Natembeya’s comments as disrespectful and urged the governor to focus on addressing issues in Trans Nzoia rather than engaging in personal attacks.
“No Ford Kenya member has talked about Natembeya, and he should know that the name ‘Papa wa Roma’ was given by Ford Kenya members to Wetang’ula who knows what it means,” Chikati said.
He warned Natembeya that Ford Kenya would field a candidate to contest the governor’s seat in the 2027 general elections.
Millicent Abudho, Ford Kenya’s deputy party leader, echoed Chikati’s sentiments, emphasising Wetang’ula’s integrity and calling on Natembeya to prioritise serving Trans Nzoia residents instead of engaging in political mudslinging.
With Ford Kenya’s leadership committed to advancing women’s issues and confronting political challenges head-on, the party appears poised to play a significant role in shaping Kenya’s political landscape in the coming years.
