The Orange Democratic Movement party leader Raila Odinga should work ‘extra’ hard to thwart an emerging rebellion in the Western region being spearheaded by Budalang'i MP Ababu Namwamba because of the danger it poses to his presidency, observes former Kitutu Masaba MP Abuya Abuya.
Ababu fell out with his political mentor citing frustrations when serving as ODM secretary general and has been pushing for Luhya unity which has now been dubbed ‘mulembe’ unity.
And on Sunday, Abuya who spoke to this writer on the phone, described the rebellion as ‘detrimental’ to Raila's campaigns for president, and urged him to deal with it politically through dialogue with Western Kenya leaders.
“I am one Raila's supporters because he has been a comrade in the struggle for good governance but I think he should do something extra to thwart the third force being advocated by Ababu Namwamba to salvage his 2017 presidential ambitions,” said Abuya.
“It’s detrimental to his quest for the presidency and I think if it matures, it would deprive him many potential voters. Time has come for him to hold a consultative meeting with Western Kenya leaders to contain the growing rebellion,” he said.
Abuya who is remembered for giving President Daniel Moi sleepless nights in the early 80s through the Seven Bearded Sisters’ movement, insisted that Western region remained key towards TRaila’s quest to State House.
“Western Kenya is a very big voting bloc. When you have someone trying to scuttle the voting pattern then you must be worried. He must try his best by doing something extra out of his experience in politics to make the region remain intact became Jubilee seems to be invading his strongholds,” he added.