MPs’ caucus gives Ababu Namwamba new vehicle to pursue political ambitions

The eventual dismissal of Budalang’i MP Ababu Namwamba as chairman of the influential Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has come barely a week after he led colleagues from Western in forming a regional parliamentary caucus.

The development leaves the vocal MP with the new baby, whose membership is more than 30 MPs. Namwamba said he is committed to the ideals of the new caucus, which brings together MPs from the populous Luhya community.

At its recent unveiling in Namwamba’s home county of Busia, more than 30 MPs attended. The meeting convened by the legislator, who is also Orange Democratic Movement’s (ODM) Secretary General, resolved to champion the region’s economic interests.

But curiously, senators Moses Wetang’ula (Bungoma), Amos Wako (Busia), George Khaniri (Vihiga) and Kakamega’s Bonny Khalwale were not invited to the meeting whose agenda, according to the MPs, was not political. Others left out were Senator Henry ole Ndiema (Trans-Nzoia) and nominated senators Daisy Kanainza and Florence Mukite. Governors Sospeter Ojaamong (Busia), Wycliffe Oparanya (Kakamega) and Trans-Nzoia’s Patrick Khaemba were also not invited.

Critics have demanded to know why the caucus locked out senators and governors who drive the devolution process, arguing the MPs could be pursuing an agenda that may not benefit locals. There are claims that the legislators, mostly first timers in Parliament, are keen to position themselves ahead of the 2017 General Election. 

Another key question is whether Namwamba, as the ODM Secretary-General, is building an alternative centre of power within CORD in Western Kenya. Currently, Wetang’ula, who is also the Senate Minority leader, is viewed as the most senior politician from the region. Namwamba, who says Senators were never part of the caucus, has dismissed as ‘inconsequential’  Wetang’ula’s recent declaration that he would vie for the presidency in 2017.  But Wetang’ula’s ally, Kiminini MP Chris Wamalwa, took up the gauntlet immediately and said the senator’s presidential ambition was unstoppable.

“Wetang’ula is the only reputable leader from Western to have declared interest in the presidency come 2017. His ambition is like a tsunami and those opposed to it will be swept aside politically,” Wamalwa said. Sirisia MP John Waluke, a Namwamba ally, publicly downplayed the power play by the two leaders.

“Wetang’ula wanted to attend (the meeting) but we told him it was for MPs only. No Ford-Kenya MP attended and we suspect he told them not to. Nominated MP Patrick Wangamati arrived in Busia, the venue of the retreat, but left for unclear reasons. We believe Wetang’ula’s people asked him to withdraw,” Waluke said. But Wamalwa insisted that Wangamati had attended the meeting that he himself failed to attend, with Nambale MP John Bunyasi apologising on his behalf.

Flag-bearer

Waluke, who is an ODM MP, said the meeting was not about who should be the presidential flag-bearer for the region, but about issues affecting ordinary folk in the former Western Province and Trans Nzoia County.

The outspoken MP said he had instructed Malava MP Malulu Injendi, who is the caucus’ interim secretary, not to invite senators. However, reached for comment, Malulu answered through text messages: “Niko Paris enroute to Washington DC.” Wamalwa claims Namwamba may be trying to carve a new niche and creating an outfit to cushion him from corruption allegations levelled against him in the PAC.

 Bungoma County women representative Reginalda Wanyonyi says although MPs are seeking to help those they represent, other elected officials such as senators will have no role for now.

Amani leader Musalia Mudavadi and New Ford-Kenya leader Eugene Wamalwa agree that MPs must be part of initiatives to help their constituents which must not necessarily involve senators. The import of their statements is that other leaders must not interfere with such initiatives. 

“Bungoma Women representative Reginalda Wanyonyi, who belongs to my party, has been heavily involved in arranging the unity initiative,” said Wamalwa.

UDF Secretary General Justus Kizito also said the party leader does not micro-manage his party MPs.

“The locking of Senators from the initiative is justified because some have raw power ambitions and they do not respect other leaders,” said Kizito, this thinly veiled attack at Wetang’ula all too apparent. Among the key economic issues they resolved to address were the financial crisis at Mumias Sugar Company, which employs thousands of locals, and the revival of Pan Paper Mills in Webuye.

Bumula MP Boniface Otsula said the MPs would meet more often in their quest to improve the welfare of locals and pursue a common agenda.

Lugari MP Ayub Savula said the push to enlist at least six million voters from the region would continue. Funyula MP Paul Otuoma, Navakholo’s Emmanuel Wangwe, Tim Wanyonyi (Westlands), David Were (Matungu), Aurthur Odera (Teso North), Florence Mutua (Busia), Chris Wamalwa (Kiminini) and David Wekesa (Saboti) did not attend the meeting but sent apologies.

Namwamba said a political revolution was in the offing, adding that the meetings would seek to correct mistakes of past leaders in the five counties.

“As leaders we have let down our people in the past. Those ahead of us have put politics ahead of issues that mattered most and we have the responsibility to complete that journey,” said Namwamba.

 

1

Stephen Makabila and Grace Wekesa

MPs’ caucus gives Namwamba new vehicle to pursue political ambitions

The eventual dismissal of Budalang’i MP Ababu Namwamba as chairman of the influential Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has come barely a week after he led colleagues from Western in forming a regional parliamentary caucus.

The development leaves the vocal MP with the new baby, whose membership is more than 30 MPs. Namwamba said he is committed to the ideals of the new caucus, which brings together MPs from the populous Luhya community.

At its recent unveiling in Namwamba’s home county of Busia, more than 30 MPs attended. The meeting convened by the legislator, who is also Orange Democratic Movement’s (ODM) Secretary General, resolved to champion the region’s economic interests.

But curiously, senators Moses Wetang’ula (Bungoma), Amos Wako (Busia), George Khaniri (Vihiga) and Kakamega’s Bonny Khalwale were not invited to the meeting whose agenda, according to the MPs, was not political. Others left out were Senator Henry ole Ndiema (Trans-Nzoia) and nominated senators Daisy Kanainza and Florence Mukite. Governors Sospeter Ojaamong (Busia), Wycliffe Oparanya (Kakamega) and Trans-Nzoia’s Patrick Khaemba were also not invited.

Critics have demanded to know why the caucus locked out senators and governors who drive the devolution process, arguing the MPs could be pursuing an agenda that may not benefit locals. There are claims that the legislators, mostly first timers in Parliament, are keen to position themselves ahead of the 2017 General Election. 

Another key question is whether Namwamba, as the ODM Secretary-General, is building an alternative centre of power within CORD in Western Kenya. Currently, Wetang’ula, who is also the Senate Minority leader, is viewed as the most senior politician from the region. Namwamba, who says Senators were never part of the caucus, has dismissed as ‘inconsequential’  Wetang’ula’s recent declaration that he would vie for the presidency in 2017.  But Wetang’ula’s ally, Kiminini MP Chris Wamalwa, took up the gauntlet immediately and said the senator’s presidential ambition was unstoppable.

“Wetang’ula is the only reputable leader from Western to have declared interest in the presidency come 2017. His ambition is like a tsunami and those opposed to it will be swept aside politically,” Wamalwa said. Sirisia MP John Waluke, a Namwamba ally, publicly downplayed the power play by the two leaders.

“Wetang’ula wanted to attend (the meeting) but we told him it was for MPs only. No Ford-Kenya MP attended and we suspect he told them not to. Nominated MP Patrick Wangamati arrived in Busia, the venue of the retreat, but left for unclear reasons. We believe Wetang’ula’s people asked him to withdraw,” Waluke said. But Wamalwa insisted that Wangamati had attended the meeting that he himself failed to attend, with Nambale MP John Bunyasi apologising on his behalf.

Flag-bearer

Waluke, who is an ODM MP, said the meeting was not about who should be the presidential flag-bearer for the region, but about issues affecting ordinary folk in the former Western Province and Trans Nzoia County.

The outspoken MP said he had instructed Malava MP Malulu Injendi, who is the caucus’ interim secretary, not to invite senators. However, reached for comment, Malulu answered through text messages: “Niko Paris enroute to Washington DC.” Wamalwa claims Namwamba may be trying to carve a new niche and creating an outfit to cushion him from corruption allegations levelled against him in the PAC.

 Bungoma County women representative Reginalda Wanyonyi says although MPs are seeking to help those they represent, other elected officials such as senators will have no role for now.

Amani leader Musalia Mudavadi and New Ford-Kenya leader Eugene Wamalwa agree that MPs must be part of initiatives to help their constituents which must not necessarily involve senators. The import of their statements is that other leaders must not interfere with such initiatives. 

“Bungoma Women representative Reginalda Wanyonyi, who belongs to my party, has been heavily involved in arranging the unity initiative,” said Wamalwa.

UDF Secretary General Justus Kizito also said the party leader does not micro-manage his party MPs.

“The locking of Senators from the initiative is justified because some have raw power ambitions and they do not respect other leaders,” said Kizito, this thinly veiled attack at Wetang’ula all too apparent. Among the key economic issues they resolved to address were the financial crisis at Mumias Sugar Company, which employs thousands of locals, and the revival of Pan Paper Mills in Webuye.

Bumula MP Boniface Otsula said the MPs would meet more often in their quest to improve the welfare of locals and pursue a common agenda.

Lugari MP Ayub Savula said the push to enlist at least six million voters from the region would continue. Funyula MP Paul Otuoma, Navakholo’s Emmanuel Wangwe, Tim Wanyonyi (Westlands), David Were (Matungu), Aurthur Odera (Teso North), Florence Mutua (Busia), Chris Wamalwa (Kiminini) and David Wekesa (Saboti) did not attend the meeting but sent apologies.

Namwamba said a political revolution was in the offing, adding that the meetings would seek to correct mistakes of past leaders in the five counties.

“As leaders we have let down our people in the past. Those ahead of us have put politics ahead of issues that mattered most and we have the responsibility to complete that journey,” said Namwamba.