I will enjoy defeating ODM rivals — Ababu Namwamba

 Ababu Namwamba

Ababu Namwamba surprised many when he left 'Baba' and joined the Labour Party of Kenya. He spoke to GRACE WEKESA about whether Luhyas can produce a president, his beef with Raila and his game plan for 2017

What happened to the much-talked about ‘Third Force?’

People completely misunderstood me. There was never entity going to be registered by the name of Third Force. It was just a phrase that was meant to offer the electorate a third option besides Cord and Jubilee.

It was not even about rank or sequence. It simply meant that we shall offer Kenyans an opportunity that will be an alternative to the two main coalitions of Jubilee and Cord. The Labour Party of Kenya (LPK) is a party we want to position as substitute.

Is Luhya nation capable of producing a president?

Why not. Ours is blessed community in terms of trust. Luhyas are honest and faithful people. I have absolutely no doubt that this community can present and form a formidable presidential candidate around whom not only Luhyas can rally, but all Kenyans.

Remember, it is not about having a Luhya President; it’s about having a Kenyan president. This will be a Kenyan president of Luhya extraction and for that to happen, we need the support and goodwill of all Kenyans.

Do you consider yourself a lone ranger after your colleagues abandoned you? What really happened to the nine Western MPs who were with you initially?

In politics, people are motivated by different reasons. When we came together to issue the press statement, it was not about leaving the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), but about people raising various issues affecting them. At the end of the day, everyone made a decision.

John Waluke decided to join Jubilee, which I respect. Paul Otuoma made a decision to remain in ODM, and I made the decision to vacate my position and align myself with a different political vehicle. That does not make me a lone ranger, it’s about defining your own course. I don’t feel alone, I am in a great family.

Is LPK a convenient political vehicle to use in 2017? What is your game plan?

My game plan is to transform LPK into a formidable political vehicle and make it competitive in every single electoral contest that we will be participating in. We are starting off with the Nyacheki Ward by-election in Kisii County. We have already launched campaigns for our candidate, Ezekiel Osoro, officially.

The next step is a members’ recruitment drive which will kick off shortly. We are also identifying aspirants for various elective posts and the response is good. We are positioning ourselves as a liberal political vehicle. I am going to lead the party from the front.

ODM catapulted you to national politics. Without the party’s support, don’t you think that your political influence has diminished?

Moving to LPK is a political upgrade. I consider myself to be in a better place. Nothing has diminished. In fact, my star is shining brighter. Politics is a game of possibilities and probabilities. I now belong to a party that respects democracy.

Governor Ojaamong has vowed that you will not be re-elected...

Ojaamong has got no clout anywhere. We made him governor from nowhere. As far as the politics of Busia or western is concerned, Ojaamong is absolutely insignificant. His obsession with Budalang’i is actually an indication that he knows what a formidable political act Ababu is.

Ojaamong spends more time talking about Ababu, yet I am not even in the race to dislodge him from office. He never talks about his rivals. He should stop his obsession with Ababu. What this means is that to him, Ababu is his walking and sleeping nightmare. I made him governor and I will unmake him the governor. He is suffering from withdrawal syndrome because he was desperate for my support which he lost.

ODM plans to field a candidate in Budalang’i. Does that scare you?

Let them bring anybody. If there is anybody I am going to enjoy beating it would be an ODM candidate. The party of choice in Budalang’i is LPK. I enjoy overwhelming support and trust of my people. The dogs can bark, but they don’t change anything as my voters are with me.

Do you still respect Raila Odinga whom you considered your political mentor?

I have no personal issues with Raila. I will always enjoy a fantastic relationship with him. I repeat, Raila is a mentor and a political father. My departure from my post as ODM secretary general has nothing to do with personal issues with Raila, but irreconcilable differences in the manner in which the party is managed. The bangled Kasarani election was a shame.

What kind of party would sabotage its own elections? Look at how nominations in the party are always a mess. You never know, I could actually support Raila for presidency if he convinces me to do so, but not as a member of ODM. Going back there is not possible. And who says we cannot work together? We can now engage as party leaders.

How do you intend to compete with ODM in Busia which is perceived to be the party’s stronghold in western?

The strength of a party is demonstrated in the ballot box. I can’t wait for August 2017 because that is when the strength of each party will be tested. Parties are not built by word of mouth, but by people. Last time I checked, ODM was very popular in Rift Valley, what is the status today? Why did that change? If ODM was strong here, it was because of us. It is us who marketed ODM here against the grain.

The same way we made ODM strong is the same way we shall make LPK strong. LPK is going to be a formidable actor and competitor in the politics of 2017 in Busia and countrywide. We have a good plan and strategy. I am confident of delivering this seat on LPK in next polls.

Ford Kenya and ANC parties invited you to join them immediately you resigned. Why did you turn down their requests and opted for LPK?

I am still very close with all my brothers from this region, including Francis Atwoli, Musalia Mudavadi, Moses Wetang’ula and Cyrus Jirongo. My decision to join LPK is purely based on principles. LPK is one of the oldest parties in this country and in terms of age, it’s comparable to Kanu.

I was also attracted by LPK’s ideology of social democracy, but with very specific focus on the welfare of Kenyan worker. If there’s one person who has been treated unfairly, it is the Kenyan worker. LPK is about ensuring justice and fairness in the workplace.

The party has strong roots in western and I wish those who left ODM for UDF and ANC would have joined LPK. The party has been in existence for 18 years. I believe in this party, but that doesn’t stop me from working with my brothers.

Why have Luhya leaders not come out to strongly defend Prof Laban Ayiro?

Prof Ayiro should not be defended because he is a Luhya. He should be defended because he is a Kenyan and a qualified professional to hold the position of Vice Chancellor in any university. The actions of Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Alex Tolgos and Uasin Gishu Governor Jackson Mandago belong to the Stone Age.

Do you think the exit of the electoral body commissioners is good for the country?

The credibility of these commissioners is questionable. It’s very difficult to preside over an election in which you don’t have the confidence of players. The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has been crippled by trust deficit.

On account of that deficit, exit and the coming of new commissioners is the best thing. But Kenyans should also know that we will never have a commission made up of angels from heaven.

They will always come from among us. Let us try to protect the image and institution of the next electoral body because we cannot be changing commissioners every election circle. It is not viable and therefore, we should develop levels of trust and integrity.