After Parliamentary Accounts Committee ouster, Budalang’i MP Ababu Namwamba now weighs his options

Budalang’i MP Ababu Namwamba is on the political radar as allies and friends watch his steps in the coming weeks.

Namwamba, who is also ODM Secretary-General, has ceased to be chair of the powerful Parliamentary Accounts Committee (PAC).

Namwamba, who was suspended from House sittings for four days after he refused to apologise over corruption allegations against PAC members in the Sh2.9 billion confidential expenditure scandal, has termed the report of the Committee on Privileges as “a pack of contradictions’’.

Sources close to the second-term MP, indicate he may be weighing options after realising there could be a conspiracy by his colleagues in ODM to ruin his political career.

“The Budalang’i legislator believes what is facing him in PAC is a political war waged by his rivals in ODM, in collaboration with elements in Jubilee whom he refers to as lords of corruption and impunity,” said Vihiga MCA Ben Ombima.

Ombima said the Western region will now demand that the PAC chairmanship reverts to an ODM MP from the same region.

“It was an ODM position but reserved for Western. We have senior MPs in the region like Paul Otuoma (Funyula), Dr Wilber Otichillo (Emuhaya and Dr Enock Kibunguchy (Likuyani) who can replace Namwamba as chair of PAC,” he added. And The Standard on Sunday has established that Namwamba spent Easter weekend engaged in intense consultations in his constituency.

Contacted, Namwamba confirmed he was in normal consultations as any other politician, but cautioned those fighting him that they should not underrate him.

“Anyone thinking of finishing Namwamba politically is at best a day dreamer who does not understand the political stuff I am made of,” warned Namwamba.

On Good Friday, he held a full day meeting with hundreds of grassroots leaders drawn from across Budalangi constituency, before attending a retreat in Busia where the Western Caucus was launched. He also hosted delegations from Kisumu, Nyamira, Kakamega and Nairobi.

It was during the Good Friday meeting in Busia that his supporters urged him to quit ODM and chart his own political course.

His supporters claim ODM has kept off ever since Namwamba started fighting wars in PAC.

“It will be interesting to watch his political moves in coming days given he has plenty of options, even as President Uhuru Kenyatta eyes him as a possible “friend” in Western,” said one of the allies.

Last September, President Uhuru Kenyatta led a charm offensive to Budalang’i where he promised goodies that included the crucial Sigiri Bridge whose construction is due to commence next month.