I will not quit race for top ODM post, says Namwamba

PHOTO | FILE Ababu Namwamba.

What you need to know:

  • Those making ‘Jubilee mole’ claims are cowards, he says

Budalangi MP Ababu Namwamba on Tuesday vowed to fight for the powerful post of secretary general in ODM regardless of claims that he was a mole in the party.

Mr Namwamba described those behind the allegations as cowards and said ODM delegates will make the final decision.

“I am not seeking any favours from anyone in my bid for ODM secretary general’s post. I will go all the way and I dare these cheap cowards to face me in the presence of our honourable party delegates at Karasani on 28th (February),” he said on phone.

Mr Namwamba will fight it out with Nominated Senators Agnes Zani and Elizabeth Ongoro for the position which is currently held by Kisumu Senator Prof Anyang Nyong’o.

He spoke a day after a retreat in Naivasha where the issue of moles was raised with ODM warning their Jubilee Coalition rivals to keep off their elections.

Mr Namwamba said he raised the issue of his loyalty to the party and challenged anyone who had doubts to come out.

“We met in a party caucus on Sunday and I dared anyone who has issues about my loyalty to step forward and say so. No one said anything and anybody speaking anonymously is a coward. I am not in the habit of responding to faceless cowards,” he said.

Those who attended the meeting said the claims were raised by Homa Bay Senator Otieno Kajwang who stated that key positions in the party should not go to people whose loyalty was in question.

That was when Mr Namwamba, Mr Kajwang and former Cord leader Raila Odinga’s presidential secretariat head Eliud Owalo got into a heated exchange.

The Budalangi MP then left the Naivasha meeting and headed to the Coast for campaigns.

But Prof Nyong’o rebuffed the claims saying all was well in the party and that Mr Namwamba had attended the one-day retreat but left early to pursue his campaigns in Mombasa.

Mr Kajwang laughed off the claims saying he was at peace with all adding that Namwamba was his friend. Mr Namwamba had attended the early morning session and during tea break held a long one-on-one meeting with Mr Odinga. He later talked to Prof Nyong’o before leaving.

On Tuesday, he said: “I do not owe anyone any excuse or apology over anything. I have placed my trust, faith and fate in the hands of our honourable delegates.”

Mr Namwamba’s decision to contest the SG’s post has rubbed the party’s top echelons the wrong way as he is seen as challenging the Mr Odinga’s preferred line up.

Mr Namwamba has teamed up with Senator Ongoro, Turkana Governor Josephat Nanok and Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho and are seeking various positions.