Ababu Namwamba’s fate in LPK hangs in the balance

The fate of Budalang'i MP Ababu Namwamba in the Labour Party of Kenya (LPK), which he joined after ditching ODM, hangs in the balance.

This follows a ruling on Monday by the Political Party's Dispute Tribunal, led by Kyalo Mbobu and Milly Odongo, ordering Mr Namwamba's membership and party leadership suspended until a petition challenging his status is heard and determined.

LKP member John Barasa moved to the tribunal, arguing that Namwamba was a pretender to the party's membership and leadership.

The petitioner sought orders to stop Namwamba from acting as a member or official of the party as well as a permanent injunction against to stop the MP from purporting to act on behalf of the party.

"On several occasions, the respondent (Namwamba) has acted and continued to act in a manner misleading to the public that he is a member of LPK," read the petition filed by Barasa.

He also swore an affidavit saying "Ababu is a member of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM)... he is infringing LPK political rights by holding himself out as a member and a party leader, which is contrary to the LPK constitution and Article 38 of the Constitution of Kenya."

Barasa was disturbed that LPK minutes from meetings held last November 10 and 22 labelled Ababu as a party leader.

He tabled a list of all LPK members, saying it did not have Ababu's name, and another of ODM members where the MP is listed.

The matter will be heard on March 9.

Party leader Julia Ojiambo read malice in the whole matter.

"I think someone paid Barasa to cause problems in the party. If Barasa has issues with Ababu, he should sort them elsewhere," she said.

Ojiambo also said efforts to establish whether Barasa was a party member had been fruitless.