Ababu (2ND L) when he inspected the construction of the Sigiri bridge in Budalangi on Wednesday. facebook.com/Ababu NamwambaBudalangi MP Ababu Namwamba has expressed willingness to engage with the opposition National Super Alliance.
The former ODM secretary general, however, says this will only occur if the opposition’s leadership proves its readiness to engage in politics of development.
He said politics of propaganda has no room in Budalangi.
“We want to play politics of development,” he said on Wednesday ahead of President Uhuru Kenyatta’s tour of Busia County.
“Our people’s expectations are high. The only available time is dedicated for work.”
Ababu who is seeking for re-election on a Labour Party of Kenya ticket is supporting Uhuru’s re-election.
He has for the last one year been critical of the opposition which he says has little to offer to Kenyans.
The outspoken legislator cut ranks with ODM the part through which he was elected MP in 2007 and 2013 in July 2016 after claiming a section of ODM party leaders made life difficult for him as party secretary general.
He cited frustration which he said made his work in the Orange party hard.
Ever since he quit ODM his former party leader and opposition Chief Raila Odinga has visited Budalangi ones.
Contrary to claims that his popularity had dipped after cutting links with Ababu, Raila received a rousing welcome when he toured the constituency that borders Lake Victoria and addressed several rallies.
Ababu is confident despite the negative propaganda directed at him by some ODM members he will win the August poll to retain his seat as MP. He is facing off with former MP Raphael Wanjala (ODM).
He argues that much of the development realised in Budalangi occurred after 2013 when Uhuru took over the country’s leadership.
He says the Sigiri Bridge in the constituency which Uhuru launched on Wednesday would have been built between 2007 and 2013 when Raila was prime minister had the opposition leader had Budalangi residents’ interests at heart.