Western shift is to Jubilee, says Wamalwa

Water and Irrigation Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa speaks during the release of the 2016 Economic Survey at KICC on May 3, 2016. Mr Wamalwa said claims by the opposition chief that Jubilee was buying ODM politicians to ditch the party were baseless. PHOTO | SALATON NJAU | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • He said voters in the region had supported Mr Odinga in the past three elections, but had decided to chart a new political course ahead of next year’s polls.
  • The ODM leader toured Vihiga, Busia and Kakamega to try and calm restlessness triggered by the resignation of Budalang’i MP Ababu Namwamba as secretary-general .

Water Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa has asked Orange Democratic Movement leader Raila Odinga to stop grumbling about his troubles in western Kenya, saying residents were shifting their support to Jubilee because of the party’s attractive development agenda.

Mr Wamalwa said claims by the opposition chief that Jubilee was buying ODM politicians to ditch the party were baseless.

He said voters in the region had supported Mr Odinga in the past three elections, but had decided to chart a new political course ahead of next year’s polls.

“Residents of western region are tired of being told vitendawili (riddles) at public rallies and want to associate themselves with leaders who will offer them a meaningful development agenda,” he said.

The CS said last week’s five-day tour by Mr Odinga had failed to address the serious issues touching on development in the region.

The ODM leader toured Vihiga, Busia and Kakamega to try and calm restlessness triggered by the resignation of Budalang’i MP Ababu Namwamba as secretary-general and his Funyula counterpart Paul Otuoma as national vice-chairman.