Labour Party of Kenya leader Ababu Namwamba says he is not relying on the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Party Leader Raila Odinga to clinch the Budalang’i parliamentary seat.
Speaking to his supporters during a public rally at Port Victoria Mixed Primary School on Sunday, the former ODM Secretary General said he is optimistic of retaining the seat as he is in good terms with residents.
“I am not depending on Raila to be elected as the MP for Budalang’i. I know I am popular and loved by the people of Budalang'i and I can categorically state here that they will elect me again come 2017,” said Namwamba.
He said he wanted to vie for a different political seat in 2017 general election but he had decided to vie for Budalang’i parliamentary seat to prove his critics wrong.
"After leaving ODM my opponents said I won't make it without Raila. I have decided to prove them wrong by going for the same seat again," he said.
Namwamba was first elected to represent Budalang'i Constituency in the National Assembly of Kenya in 2007 and was reelected again in 2013 on ODM party ticket.
He was recently expelled from ODM after he decamping to the Labour Party of Kenya (LPK).