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Budalang’i lawmaker Raphael Wanjala has vowed to deal with his predecessor now Chief Administrative Secretary in the ministry of Foreign Affairs Ababu Namwamba.
He claimed Namwamba was out to undermine his leadership. He blamed his recent arrest on the former MP.
Wanjala observed after he was released on cash bail of Sh400, 000 at the Busia Law Courts that Namwamba has no moral authority to inspect any project in the constituency.
The legislator asked his political nemesis to allow him serve constituents. Wanjala was arrested for allegedly inciting his supporters to frustrate Namwamba before Transport and Infrastructure Chris Obure who had toured the area to inspect works on the Sigiri Bridge.
Police had to lob teargas to disperse the rowdy youth who were irked by the presence of their former legislator. Supporters of Wanjala said their MP was kept in darkness over the visit by Dr Obure.
Agitated locals pelted a chopper that was carrying Obure and Namwamba with stones. Namwamba was not allowed to speak or inspect the bridge that collapsed last July.
“He was a given post that is not in the constitution, let him sit in the office and arrange the files. How is Foreign Affairs related to roads and bridges?” Wanjala posed.
Namwamba on his part said he was open to reconciliation with Wanjala for the sake of Budalang’I constituents.
“The incident should not have happened. It was a big embarrassment to see a whole MP hulling stone at the chopper,” said Namwamba.
“My responsibility is to ensure the projects I left are complete and those that are yet to start begins and completed on time,” he added.
The Budalang’I MP told off Namwamba’s sentiment that he had forgiven Wanjala for the chaos witnessed at Sigiri Bridge. “ What did I do so that he can forgive me, in fact he should apologize to Budalang’I residents because he is the one who came to provoke them,” said Wanjala.
Wanjala pleaded not guilty charges of endangering safety of the aircraft and persons on board, undermining the authority of the public officer and incitement to violence.
He was charged together with John Kechula, Mpaga Kezinge Alfred Wesonga and Peter Otuna who also pleaded not guilty and each were released on cash bail of Sh400, 000 or surety of Sh700, 000.
