Ford People interim chairperson Mwancha Okioma believes the Gusii community will have a bigger say in future governments if area politicians join hands to strengthen the party.
Ford People has roots in Kisii and Nyamira counties and was used by former powerful minister Simeon Nyachae in his 2002 presidential bid where he emerged third.
Mr Okioma on Friday said the region would continue playing second fiddle in political set up despite it is close to a million votes.
“I would like to challenge my fellow politicians from Gusii region to join Ford People so that we strengthen it together. Having our own party will have a bigger impact in terms of our say in government,” he said.
“We have close to a million voters and yet we can’t vote as a community. This is the nature of Kenyans politics and if we gamble with our votes, we will continue to be sidelined from government. Let us not play a second fiddle for other regions for only acting as mere voters,” he said.
Mr Okioma defended the party saying his team has restructured the party months after he forcefully took over as chairperson from former West Mugirango MP Henry Obwocha.
“We are in the process of transforming the party following years of mismanagement. We will have elections I April and I think it’s important for all our Gusii leaders to support our course. We need a party which we can use as a vehicle to articulate of grievances as a community,” he added.
Mr. Okioma took over the party recently after it emerged that former leadership under Mr. Obwocha was planning to disband the party in favor of new outfit Jubilee Alliance Party.