By Habil Onyango
As the country prepares for the August 10, 2027, General Elections, political parties are rushing to register, while others are being revived and vying for leadership.
In the Federal Party of Kenya (FPK), a looming leadership battle is emerging following the announcement by Tana River Governor Dhadho Godhana that he plans to revive the party ahead of the 2027 General Elections.
Godhana resigned on October 10, 2026, from the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), stating that the Coast region lacks an independent political vehicle to advocate for its local interests.
He was endorsed by Coast region delegates and civil society representatives as the new party leader and chairman of FPK in August 2026.
Godhana stated that FPK aims to field candidates across all elective positions nationwide, including parliamentary seats, county offices and the presidency.
However, in a press release on October 13, 2026, the party’s substantive National Chairman, Philip Oluoch Abuba, said that Godhana is not recognised by the party as its Party Leader or National Chairman.
Abuba said that, according to the party records, the second-term Governor is neither a member of the National Executive Committee (NEC) nor a member of FPK.
We are not aware of any lawful party process through which he has acquired any leadership mandate within the party.
“It has come to my attention that reports are circulating alleging that the Governor of Tana River County, Hon. Dhadho Godana, who is currently serving his second and final term, has assumed the position of FPK and has purportedly “revived” the party,” Abuba said.
“These claims are categorically disputed and do not reflect the official position of the Federal Party of Kenya,” he noted.
The Chairman consequently said that Godhana has no authority under the party’s constitution and established procedures to convene, preside over or purport to represent FPK’s National Executive Committee (NEC), National Delegates Convention (NDC) or any other official party organ in the capacity of a party official.
“I am the duly registered and recognised party chairman by the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP),” he noted.
“I further wish to notify all FPK members and relevant stakeholders that a Special National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting has been convened for 23 October 2026 to deliberate on the reported claims of unauthorised representation and other urgent matters affecting the party,” he said.
Abuba further revealed that the party has instructed its legal team to pursue appropriate remedies, including proceedings before the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal (PPDT), where warranted, against any person found to be unlawfully impersonating party officials, misrepresenting the party’s leadership or purporting to exercise authority without a valid mandate.
“We will pursue this matter through the appropriate legal channels to protect the party’s identity, institutional integrity and the rights of its legitimate members,” he said.
“The Federal Party of Kenya was registered in 2012 and maintains its position that its affairs must be conducted under its duly recognised leadership and in accordance with the law,” he said.
“FPK’s identity, leadership and institutional integrity must be respected. No individual should purport to speak or act on behalf of the party without a legitimate mandate.”
No Valid NEC Resolution Electing Godhana
According to Abuba, as the National Chairman, he remains responsible for presiding over the NEC in accordance with the party’s constitution and applicable procedures.
He said that their party records contain no NEC resolution electing or appointing Godhana as Party Leader or National Chairman.
“We are likewise not aware of any corresponding record at the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties validating such a change,” he said.
“Any claim to the contrary should be supported by verifiable documentary evidence and subjected to the appropriate legal and institutional procedures,” he said.
He further noted that FPK cannot be said to have been “revived” by an individual whose membership and authority to act on its behalf have not been established.
He added that anyone wishing to join or participate in the affairs of FPK must follow the party’s constitution, membership procedures and applicable law.
“Any proposed leadership changes must similarly be undertaken through the recognised party organs and lawful processes.”
FPK Rebranding
Godhana had revealed that FPK’s National Executive Council (NEC) had initiated a full overhaul of the party’s logo, colours, slogans and grassroots structures across all six coastal counties: Mombasa, Kwale, Kilifi, Tana River, Lamu and Taita Taveta.
However, according to Abuba, FPK’s official party symbol remains the clenched fist, saying that any other symbol being presented as the official symbol of FPK should be independently verified against the party’s registered particulars.
“We remain committed to protecting the party, upholding the rule of law and ensuring that all internal party affairs are conducted in accordance with our constitution and the applicable laws of Kenya,” he said.
“All relevant party officials will be expected to observe the party’s constitution and established procedures in addressing these matters,” the Chairman noted.
