Budalang’i MP Ababu Namwamba’s much-hyped ‘Third Political Force’ suffered a setback when two MPs abandoned him for other outfits.
Sources close to the MP say his political activities slowed down following Sirisia MP John Waluke and his Funyula counterpart Paul Otuoma’s defections.
The three were behind the Mulembe Consciousness Movement to unite Western residents and secure their place in politics.
Waluke said he has crossed over to Jubilee for his voters’ benefit. The MP, who was ODM’s only legislator in Bungoma, resigned from his branch chairman position.
“My constituency has been marginalised by former regimes and my people still live in abject poverty. I will vie on the Jubille Party ticket because it is very democratic,” he said on Tuesday.
He spoke at Kibeu Primary School in Bungoma town after disbursing cheques for Sh57 million from the National Government Constituency Development Fund.
Waluke is among several Cord politicians who will attend Jubilee Party’s official launch at the Safaricom Stadium Kasarani in Nairobi on Saturday. He criticised ODM leader Raila Odinga, saying his tour of Western region is “inconsequential and will not help him secure votes”.
“Odinga should concentrate on areas like Rift Valley and Central where he has less votes. Why should he be roaming in Kakamega and Busia counties alone? Those areas have been taken by Jubilee. Let him forget them,” Waluke said.
Otuoma said he has never been part of Ababu’s team. He called for unity among the Luhya. Ababu was accused of being a Jubilee mole.
He denied the allegations and said he would not mind working with Raila again.
Sources close to Ababu say he intends to launch the Labour Party of Kenya on September 22.
The MP was unavailable for comment.