Ford People is rising from the ashes to reclaim its position as the party of choice in Gusiiland following its victory in South Mugirango.

It has been a dizzying downward spiral for the party.

In 2002, it captured all the 10 parliamentary seats in the region.
Come 2007, it lost all but the Bomachoge one, which former assistant minister Joel Onyancha later lost in a by-election.
It however benefited from two others outside Gusiiland. They are Peter Mwathi of Limuru and Gonzi Rai of Kinango.
Many wrote obituaries for the party, whose patron is retired politician Simeon Nyachae, when Mr Onyancha lost. The party’s current chairman is Mr Reuben Oyondi, who is a member of the East African Legislative Assembly.
The party’s deputy secretary general Henry Obwocha termed the victory as the beginning.

“The party is on its way to reclaiming its glory,” he told the Sunday Nation on Saturday.

The area’s former legislator, Mr Omingo Magara, appeared to agree.

“This was a massive battle for Ford People. They deployed all the resources available to get the seat. It was going to be an uphill task,” he said.

He argues that there were cases of voter bribery, but will not seek redress in the courts “because it will be a waste of time for the incumbent, who should be allowed to work”.

Mr Ochoi argues that the voters had made their choice but downplayed the party affiliation as an angle, arguing that all the losers had a chance and given a second chance anybody can emerge top.

While the bigwigs from ODM and PNU flew in choppers, paraded ministerial flags and made promises of goodies, Ford People staged a quieter grassroots campaign spearheaded mainly by former party legislators and aspirants looking to revive the party.

This appeared friendlier and the elderly, who do not frequent big rallies, seem to have liked it.

Within the PNU ranks, the party was a gone case, so much that they hurriedly opted for an arrangement with the PDP where Mr Magara had defected to.

Pleas from Mr Nyamweya, who had the backing from President Kibaki’s camp, for support fell on deaf ears.

Clan realignment and revenge against Mr Magara were at play during last week’s polls.

Mr Oyondi, who is also the area former MP, teamed up with another former MP, David Kombo, and Mr Obwocha to hand Mr Manson Nyamweya victory by rallying their Botabori and Bogetenga clans behind him.

Although both hail from the Bogetenga clan, the fact that Mr Ochoi has his roots in Gwasi, and a Luo ancestry did not help matters for him.