Ababu asks Wetang'ula to drop Cord if not picked flag bearer

Former Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) secretary-general Ababu Namwamba has asked Ford-Kenya leader Moses Wetang’ula to abandon the Cord coalition if he is not chosen as its presidential candidate.

The Budalang’i MP was speaking two days after ODM leader Raila Odinga visited the region during his five-day tour of western Kenya.

“You can fool some people some time but you cannot fool all the people all the time. We have realised our mistakes, we have learnt from experiences and the time to move on has come,” said Mr Namwamba.

On Thursday night, during a TV interview on a local station, Mr Wetang’ula urged Mr Odinga not to vie for President in 2017, saying he is unlikely to win against Jubilee.

The Senate minority leader also faulted the former prime minister’s decision to campaign in western Kenya without involving local leaders.

“When we supported him, we were democrats. We need respect just like they want us to respect them,” he said

Mr Namwamba said all Luhya leaders are consulting and are ready to support one of their own in the next general elections.

“Moses Wetang’ula, Cyrus Jirongo, Musalia Mudavadi and all other Luhya are ready and willing to support one of our own. Kenyans need freshness. They need new ideas,” he said.

He added: “We will unite to have bargaining power to help our people. We will not embrace politics of poverty and rhetoric again. Politics should improve our people not to help leaders ascend to power.”

'PASSENGERS' NO MORE

Mr Namwamba was speaking in Budalang’i during St Benedict’s High School's jubilee celebrations on Friday.

He warned Mr Odinga against claims that "Mulembe Nation" is a tribal outfit, saying that just like the ODM leader consolidated the Luo community to support him, Luhya leaders have also launched a similar drive.

“The days we used to be used as passengers to fill other people’s vehicles are over. The Mulembe Nation is planning for their own,” said Mr Namwamba.

“We are telling the former prime minister that we have no personal differences with him. Having been with him, we have learnt from him and we are also trying to chart our own political path,” he said.

He urged ODM leaders to practice the politics of respect and tolerance, saying Kenya is a democratic country and every person has a right to his or her political views and stand.

(READ: Raila forced to abandon rally in Mumias)

However, Busia Woman Representative Florence Mutua urged Mr Wetang’ula to spread his campaigns as a potential presidential aspirant to the rest of the country, rather than focusing only on western Kenya votes.

“We have supported smaller parties which now feel big and want to cannibalize ODM and we will not allow that. Let our coalition partners target seats that are currently not occupied by ODM,” said Mrs Mutua.

'FORMIDABLE' ALLIANCE

Nyaribari Chache MP Richard Tongi advised Mr Namwamba to ditch ODM and join Ford People, saying the party is ready to make him their leader.

He noted that the Kisii community is ready to form a formidable alliance with THE Luhya for a third force that will rival the major coalitions.

“Time has come for Luhyas to chart their own way and destiny. The time of moving in other people’s vehicle is over. You have the numbers and you only need like-minded people to change the destiny of this country,” said Mr Tongi.

Education Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i and former Constitution Implementation Commission chairman Charles Nyachae also attended the event held in Mr Namwamba’s backyard in Budalang’i constituency.

Dr Matiang’i vowed to continue implementing reforms that would streamline the education sector.

(Editing by Joel Muinde and Henry Gekonde)