The election of Tongaren MP Hon. John Murumba Chikati as the new lion’s party Secretary General (SG) has elicited mixed reaction with a section of party members showing frustrations advised by various concerns. While some led by his Kanduyi counterpart Hon. John Makali congratulated him for the win some took to the party’s social media platform and rubbished him saying the 1962 born is a mismatch to younger and more energetic SGs from competing parties like UDA, ODM, ANC who are in their 40’s. This in a was seems to suggest that the party doesn’t have faith in youthful leaders a position that was defended by Ford Kenya youth league leaders who indicated that Chikati is equal to the task.
Chikati who successfully ran last Aug 2022 elections on a Ford Kenya ticket after dumping Jubilee trounced the Dr. David Eseli Simiyu of DAP-K garnering 28, 278 votes against Eseli’s 13, 511. This was his first taste of victory in 20 years after he officially joined politics. In 2002 Chikati made his political debut unsuccessfully taking on the former Trade and Industry Minister Hon. Mukhisa Kituyi Kimilili parliamentary seat. He again tried and lost in 2007, 2013 and 2017 General Elections this time to Dr. David Eseli Simiyu.
The following vacant positions in Ford Kenya NEC were duly filled on 16th April, 2023 during a Special NEC PG meeting held at Maanzoni Lodge :-
- Hon. Kenneth Lusaka – 1st Deputy Party Leader
- Hon. Ferdinand Kevin Wanyonyi – Deputy Party Leader, Policy & Strategy
- Hon. John Chikati – Secretary General
- Hon. Margret Sabina Wanjala – 1st Vice National Chairman
- Hon. Elizabeth Iminza    – 1st Deputy Secretary General
- Hon. Joyce Cheruto      – 1st Deputy Treasurer
- Hon. Elizabeth Tindi Manase  – 1st Deputy Organizing Secretary
- Hon. Majimbo Kalasinga – Parliamentary Chief Whip
- Hon. David Wafula Wakoli – Parliamentary Group Leader
- Hon. John Makali   – Secretary for Constitutional and Legal Affairs
- Hon. George Kopala – Secretary for Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries
- Hon. Jane Nampaso – Secretary for Environment and Natural Resources
- Hon. Cleophus Ngeti – Secretary for Finance and Trade
- Hon Ismael Arale – Secretary for IT & Research Development
- Hon. Eng. James Ratemo – Deputy Secretary for Education
~ Joel Amuma Ruhu, National Chairman ~
Details of the election have nevertheless have not been disclosed for it was a closed-door meeting secured by Police.
