Ababu Namwamba blasts Jubilee for 'entrenching' corruption

Former ODM secretary general Ababu Namwamba has hit out at the Jubilee government, accusing it of entrenching corruption.

“The level of corruption has gone beyond the normal or the ordinary in this country. The Eurobond and National Youth Service saga are mega scandals. The Jubilee leadership has regressed this country,” he said at a church function in Kisumu on Friday.

“Opinion polls have clearly indicated that this government has not fulfilled the very high expectations of Kenyans. Talk about insecurity and state of the economy. Many Kenyans live below the poverty line. The cost of living has spiralled beyond imagination,” Mr Namwamba said.

The Budalang'i MP, who resigned two months ago from his ODM position citing frustration by the party leadership, has indicated that he will launch a so-called third force to rival the Orange party.

Previously a crowd puller whenever in Kisumu, an ODM stronghold, Mr Namwamba cut the image of a lone figure on Friday.

He noted that the credibility of national examinations had eroded under the Jubilee administration.

“You don’t know whether the result of your child is an A or it is cooked.”

Mr Namwamba’s tone on Friday regarding the Opposition was a dramatic U-turn from his position just two months ago, when he was busy criticizing it.

On Friday, he hailed the Opposition for keeping the government on its toes over insecurity, corruption and the rule of law.

“The Opposition has done fairly well. The ongoing electoral reforms can be credited to the Opposition,” he said.

The MP was speaking at the Voice of Salvation and Healing International Church in Kisumu during a ceremony to mark 60 years since it was founded.

Mr Namwamba, however, said the Opposition had failed to provide clear, believable and convincing alternative leadership.

“We want to see an Opposition that does not just criticize but which also offers alternative policies,” he said.

He added: “For me Jubilee has failed and the Opposition must also demonstrate that it is the better option.”

He said his Third Force was not a political party but a vehicle for Kenyans uncomfortable with Jubilee and Cord coalitions.

“Article 4 of the Constitution describes Kenya as a pluralist, constitutional democracy. We are a constitutional democracy based of the philosophy of multiparty so Kenyans must have a choice,” he said.

He said the Third Force will be unveiled soon and a decision will be made on whether it will field a presidential candidate.

(Editing by Joel Muinde and Henry Gekonde)