Western leaders split over Ababu Namwamba's new position in ODM

The endorsement of Budalang’i MP Ababu Namwamba as ODM Secretary General heralds a change in Western Kenya’s political landscape and could open up the region for another supremacy battle.

His appointment to the top of one of Kenya’s biggest political parties opens an avenue for leadership wrangles in a region lacking a unifying leader after the demise of former Vice President Wamalwa Kijana.

CORD co-principal Moses Wetang’ula has been the region’s de facto leader.

With his new position, the Budalang’i MP stands to gain political mileage thanks to the fairly large following ODM enjoys particularly in Busia, Bungoma, Kakamega and Vihiga counties.

Mr Namwamba, who vied for secretary general in the botched ODM elections in February, was picked for the position in a party retreat held in Naivasha two weeks ago.

Senior ODM leaders from the region were given less powerful positions: Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya was named second deputy party leader while Funyula MP Paul Otuoma earned the second deputy chairman docket. The retreat also appointed Florence Mutua, Busia Woman Representative, as the second deputy organising secretary. Busia is the biggest beneficiary in the proposed line up with three posts. Kakamega has one while Bungoma and Vihiga counties have none.

But Oparanya and Otuoma dismissed the proposed line up immediately it was released, arguing it was wrong for individuals to pick party officials in a boardroom meeting. The two said party members ought to have elected the officials.

Supremacy wars

Oparanya has since changed tune and supported the new lineup, saying it will strengthen the party ahead of the 2017 General Election.

But even as the party’s National Governing Council (NGC) met to discuss and endorse the new lineup, political pundits have cast doubts on Namwamba’s ability to influence the Luhya community to support the party.

“It entirely depends on how Namwamba will endear himself to the people of Western but the truth is, the post means nothing to the community,’’ argued Prof Amukoa Anangwe.

Anangwe, a political analyst and lecturer at Dodoma University in Tanzania, said the community did not benefit from past renowned leaders, including former Butere MP Martin Shikuku, former Cabinet Minister Burudi Nabwera and former Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi, who held powerful posts in Government.

“My feeling is Raila should have left the task of picking party officials to members instead of handpicking them in a boardroom. The move has generated a lot of heat in ODM, with key players from Western opposing the lineup,” he said.

Asked whether his ascendency to the top ODM position could create more divisions in Western, Namwamba described the claims as “cynical and absolutely unacceptable.”

He cautioned against engaging in petty supremacy wars when core regional industries like Mumias Sugar Company are dying and poverty levels soaring.

“Let us rally together to improve the fortunes of our people. A leader, a first among equals, will emerge naturally as we work together with mutual respect and appreciation,” the MP said.

Tongaren MP and Ford-Kenya Secretary General Simiyu Eseli said his Budalang’i counterpart’s new position was being blown out of proportion.

“Namwamba is not at par politically with Ford-Kenya boss Moses Wetang’ula, and his new post does not threaten the latter in any way,” Eseli said, dismissing claims that the youthful MP would dislodge his party leader from his de-facto Luhya leadership position.

Esseli views Wetang’ula as a man with different priorities and goals, which he said Namwamba’s new post cannot interfere with.

But Mumias West MP Johnson Naicca, a staunch Namwamba supporter, said the Budalangi MP was the right person for the ODM secretary general’s position.

“Namwamba is a strong personality who can easily marshal the over two-million votes in Western and ensure Raila continues to command a big following in the region in future elections,” he said.

Butere MP Andrew Toboso says the combined team of Oparanya and Namwamba will make ODM stronger in Western.

“This is all about party politics, not CORD. By 2017, the coalition structures might dramatically change. We know (Amani leader Musalia) Mudavadi is in good terms with Namwamba and he is in the race for 2017 as well,” Taboso said.

UDF legislators Yusuf Chanzu (Vihiga) and Benjamin Washiali (Mumias East) argue that Namwamba deserves the post since he is a fighter and a go-getter. “He really fought tough for ODM and he is best suited for the secretary general’s post,” said Chanzu.

Dwindling popularity

But Washiali said Namwamba will not have a free hand to run the party, like his predecessor Kisumu Senator Anyang Nyongo did, as every step he makes will be closely monitored.

But Namwamba said he will move with speed to engage disgruntled voices within the party once he is confirmed by the NGC.

“I will engage my senior brothers, CORD coalition partners and those who are uncomfortable with me so that we can have serious bonding and unity of purpose that will give us the desired impetus,” he said.

The Budalang’i MP said his first task will be to sell ODM across the country and in Western where he believes the party still enjoys a massive following.

But Anangwe said ODM’s popularity in Western has taken a nose dive. “Generation change is desirable and important but how the new officials use their posts to reach to the masses counts a lot. No matter the solution, ODM is going down,” said Anangwe.

The former Butere legislator said disunity among the Luhya community was a creation of politicians.

“The community has always been united but it is the political leadership that will always create cracks for own political gains,” Anangwe said.

His sentiments were echoed by Eseli, who blamed leaders from the region for failing to put their interests aside for the sake of the region.

“The real issues at the moment are collapse of our industries and identification cards. Leaders should speak in unison about these problems and create voter awareness ahead of the 2017 elections,” he added.