[Budalangi MP Ababu Namwamba (right) in a past event. He will face Raphael Wanjala, a former MP who has ditched Jubilee for ODM. Photo/Hivisasa.com]
Budalangi MP Ababu Namwamba is facing a serious threat from his perennial political competitor, Raphael Wanjala, who has ditched Jubilee Party for opposition ODM.
Namwamba, a former ODM secretary General, cut his 10-years relationship with Raila Odinga led party and subsequently joined Labour Party.
Even though he has not publicly endorsed any presidential candidate, Ababu is believed to be supporting President Uhuru Kenyatta’s re-election.
But on Thursday, Wanjala, who served as MP in 1997-2007 before losing to Ababu, announced his defection to ODM, reports the Star.
“I will be meeting Odinga next week to forge the way forward. The people have decided, even the Bible says the voice of majority is God’s voice, “he said.
Wanjala said Kenyatta’s campaigns have been ‘messed’ up DP William Ruto adding that more defections were lined up before elections.
“I want to tell Uhuru that it is not Budalang’i alone; the situation is bad and would escalate in few months’ time,” he added.
Namwamba, who served as Sports Minister during Grand Coalition government, blamed ODM top leadership for allegedly frustrating him at the office of Secretary General.
The region is predominantly ODM and in 2013, Odinga scooped overwhelmingly votes from the larger Busia County.