Former Nyamira township Councillor Charles Getabu Barango has likened the resignation of Ababu Namwamba as ODM secretary general to that of Deputy President William Ruto when he left to form the United Republican Party.
Speaking to this reporter, Barango said ODM and Cord should now look for ways to retain its key members instead of letting them to go since such a move has serious repercussions.
“ODM and Cord should try hard to look for ways of retaining its members since the rate at which key officials and members are quitting from the ODM is high. Losing Ababu will duplicate effects of the 2013 general election and the Ruto effect will be felt in Namwamba,” said Barango .
“In 2010, ODM lost William Ruto and the same was not taken seriously by Hon. Raila Odinga, and now the loss of Ababu from the party will mean that the political dynamics of western region will change completely. This will mean that ODM is losing popularity in the region,“ the Nyamira County Governor's political coordinator in North Mugirango added.
“In western Kenya we have Eugene Wamalwa, Muskari Kombo and now Ababu Namwamba, this means that the western votes will be divided and leave Cord with nothing. Cord needs to urgently put its house in order risk losing terribly in 2017,” said the former civic leader.
“The issues in Cord are getting into deep rifts and if the same continues the coalition has no chances of winning next year's elections.“