[Former Budalang’i MP Ababu Namwamba in a past event. He may struggle to regain his lost glory in Kenyan politics according to Gideon Mamboleo. Photo/Nation]
Considered as one of the rising political icons in the country, Ababu Namwamba’s political dream my never be the same again according to political analyst Gideon Mamboleo.
He first came into public limelight in 2008 when he refused to swear allegiance to President Mwai Kibaki in favour of opposition leader Raila Odinga.
A darling of young politician both from government and opposition, Namwamba’s masterly of language and cohesion in debates even made him win many souls across the country.
“It is sad that Kenya may never see the political star in Namwamba. I at some point thought he is a Raila or Kenneth Matiba in making,” he says.
He further adds:”I may not know exactly where the rains started beating him, but I suspect hard politics within ODM and maybe his inability to make quick decisions.”
Now an Ex – Budalang’i MP, Ababu is the team leader of Mbele Iko Sawa team, which is pushing for reelection of President Uhuru Kenyatta.
His troubles started in 2014 prior to ODM party election, where he showed interest in Secretary General Seat, a lucrative position by then.
Faced with stiff internal competition, Namwamba was agitated by the decision taken by Raila Odinga to drastically reduce powers of SG, as rumour went on air that he was secretly working with rival Jubilee party.
His woes escalated when he was implicated of corruption within the powerful PAC in National Assembly, a move literally downsized once a vibrant member of parliament.
With no significant powers within parliament, Namwamba took the war to his master’s doorstep, where he applied for resignation from the party.
Having been granted permission by ODM, Ababu’s onslaught of his mentor cum enemy played detrimental to his political career, given Raila Odinga’s strong influence in Western Kenya politics.
He was humbled by his immediate predecessor, Raphael Wanjala, and he may take years to bounce back given the dynamics of Busia County politics, which is predominantly an ODM zone.