Ababu warns of ‘tsunami’ after talks with Lusaka

Rebel Orange Democratic Movement legislators Ababu Namwamba and John Waluke on Sunday held talks with New Ford Kenya party leader Ken Lusaka in a move seen as escalating the fallout in the opposition party led by Mr Raila Odinga.

After the leaders met Mr Lusaka — who is also the Bungoma governor — they announced that a “political tsunami” was likely to take shape in the predominantly opposition region.

It is understood that Mr Namwamba and other rebels from the western Kenya region have been shopping for a new political party ahead of the 2017 election.

Mr Lusaka said it was time western Kenya leaders charted their own direction. He said leaders had agreed to forge a common political front.

Last week, Mr Namwamba resigned as ODM secretary-general, just days after another western Kenya MP, Dr Paul Otuoma, quit as the party's vice-chairman.

Mr Lusaka said: “My brother, cowards never make history. That was a courageous move and your star will shine brighter as you have shown the way.”

Mr Namwamba said western Kenya legislators were tired of being in a party that was keen on silencing voices.

“We cannot stay in a party that is focused on denying people air. Even when you are suffocating they will not allow you to breathe. We need a place where we are free to make choices,” he said.

He said he would hand over the party reins as he charts his next move. Mr Waluke, the Sirisia MP, said he and his colleagues were tired of being in the Opposition and being criticised for their association with the government.

He said their move was to ensure that the people get goodies from the government.

Mr Waluke later announced that he had relinquished his post as the secretary in charge of security affairs.

At a rally at Mayuba Stadium in Sirisia, Mr Waluke said ODM had started showing signs of cracking. “The party operations were not open and when we questioned we are silenced,” he said.

VERY UNGRATEFUL
Gem MP Jakoyo Midiwo, a close ally of Mr Odinga, and his nominated counterpart, Dr Oburu Oginga, who is Mr Odinga’s older brother, on Sunday said the MPs decision was a desperate attempt by the Jubilee administration to infiltrate regions dominated by ODM.

“I think Ababu and Otuoma needed to stay in the party instead of rushing out after receiving handouts from Jubilee,” said Mr Midiwo. “They should look at how Musalia was treated by Jubilee after ditching ODM.”

He was speaking in Gem constituency on Saturday evening. Speaking in Bondo, Dr Oginga said that he had foreseen the exit of Mr Namwamba and his allies from ODM a long time ago, but his complaints were dismissed by party officials.

“I am not shocked that Ababu left ODM. He was seen all over the place dining with our enemies and he was also given money and machinery to campaign for the ODM secretary-general position,” said Dr Oginga.

He accused Mr Namwamba of being ungrateful to Mr Odinga and ODM.

“Ababu lacks principles. He ought to have left the party a while ago so as to give us time to organise ourselves,” he said but added that if they choose to stay, their grievances can be addressed.

Meanwhile, the defection of Migori Governor Okoth Obado from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to ODM is set to change the political dynamics in the county.

It now means that all the aspirants who have declared their interest in the Migori gubernatorial seat will have to square it out for the Orange party ticket ahead of the 2017 election.

PDP, whose chairman is former South Mugirango MP Omingo Magara, was previously in Cord before Mr Magara jumped ship to the government side.

Additional reporting by Elisha Otieno