The late Ford Kenya chairman Oginga Odinga
By Joab Ngokhomia
In the early 1990s, Kenya was under the heavy shadow of one-party rule. Speaking truth could cost you your freedom — or even your life.
But in Ford Kenya, a group of fearless Kenyans stood up. From John Munyasia (Sirisia), Achieng Oneko, Prof. Ouma Muga, Dr. Otieno Mac Onyango, Prof. Washington Jalang’o Okumu, Prof. Rashid Mzee, Dr. Oburu Odinga, Paul Muite, Gitobu Imanyara, Kiraitu Murungi, Dr. Paul Otwoma,Raila Odinga,George Kapten,Musikari Kombo,Dr Oki Ooko Ombaka ;these pioneers risked everything for justice while Charles Rubia,Kenneth Matiba,Robinson Gotham,Buke Wafula ,a University of Nairobi student leader ,Kabando wa Kabando,Ntai Nkuraru,Koigi wa Wamwere and others through other parties.
Peter Chemao from Sirisia in Bungoma county ,a Ford Kenya youth leader then once reflected on those early days, saying:
“We did not fight for positions or titles. We fought so that every Kenyan could have a voice, a vote, and a future.”
At the grassroots, leaders like Raphael Wanjala, Farrah Malim, Joe Donde, Dr. Newton Kulundu, Dr. Noah Wekesa, Soita Shitanda, Dr. Bonny Khalwale and Captain Davies Nakitare carried the message across the country.
Ford Kenya wasn’t just a political party — it was a revolution of conscience.
⚔️ Betrayal and Division
Fearful of losing power by KANU,the ruling party then, the state used every tool to weaken the movement to restore democracy .
Regional tensions,assasinations,dispearances of opposition leaders were the order of the day and personality clashes engineered by the state split the giant Forum for the restoration of democracy into Ford into Ford–Kenya lead by Oginga Odinga and Ford–Asili led by Stanley Njindo Matiba, testing the unity of reformers.
Even so, the dream of democracy persisted in the 90s and early 2000.
Many later joined NDP,Ford People of Charles Nyachae,NARC that brought in Kibaki as President in 2002 and later more divisions created ODM, DAP–K, Jubilee, and UDA, but the ideals of justice, equality, and devolution birthed in the early 90s remain alive.
It’s notable that today’s top leaders — the late Raila Odinga (ODM), Eugene Wamalwa (DAP–K), Dr. Mukhisa Kituyi (defunct NAK–K), Kiraitu Murungi (DP) and Paul Muite (Safina Party) — all trace their political roots to Ford Kenya’s founding generation.
Their leadership today though in different political formations is a living testament to the enduring legacy of those early reformers.
🌍 The New Era in Ford Kenya.
After Jaramogi Oginga Odinga’s demise ,’the young Turks’led by Michael Kijana Wamalwa brought renewed energy, championing a Kenya led by intellect and integrity.
Leaders like Musikari Kombo, Dr. Noah Wekesa, Soita Shitanda, Dr. Newton Kulundu, Dr. Bonny Khalwale, and Captain Davies Nakitare kept the flame alive.
Later, Moses Wetang’ula transformed Ford Kenya into a strategic modern political force — navigating coalitions like CORD, NASA, and now Kenya Kwanza — while strengthening the party’s core values.
Today, leaders likeJames Orengo,Dr Mukhisa Kituyi,Paul Muite,Gitobu Imanyara,Dr Khalwale,Oburu Odinga,Anyang Nyong’o, Eugene Wamalwa, Amb. Wafula Wamunyinyi and Dr. Eseli Simiyu should continue the legacy even from different parties proving that politics can still be about vision, courage, and service.
🔥 The Call to the Youth
The torch is now in your hands.
Ford Kenya’s founders fought for the Kenya we enjoy today — freedom to speak, vote, and dream.
The question is simple: Will we honor their sacrifice? Will we fight for a just, united, and democratic Kenya?
Before hashtags and rallies, there were heroes. Now, it’s our turn.
Carry the torch. Keep the dream alive. 💚
