I am Labour Party, Ababu says, tells off 'ODM amateurs'

LPK leader Ababu Namwamba is received by party officials upon arrival in Eldoret, Uasin GIshu county, March 2, 2017. /STANLEY MAGUT
LPK leader Ababu Namwamba is received by party officials upon arrival in Eldoret, Uasin GIshu county, March 2, 2017. /STANLEY MAGUT

Ababu Namwamba has accused political amateurs from ODM of trying to oust him as Labour Party's leader.

He said he is still a full member of LPK despite the Political Parties Tribunal ruling that effectively left him party-less.

The tribunal barred him from conducting activities for Labour Party of Kenya, which he relaunched last September to unite Luhyas and fully represent them.

This was after party member John Makokha filed an application saying the Budalang'i MP was still an ODM member.

"When you see me you see LPK. I am Labour and I am not going anywhere," Ababu said

in Eldoret

on Thursday, adding those against him were "working

at the behest of their former party".

"I cannot engage in juvenile antics. LPK is united and we are going to front aspirants for various positions."

Acting LPK secretary general Peter ole Musei claimed former SG David Makali was being sponsored by ODM to taint the party's image.

"There are no factions in our party. We are united and the recent creation that Ababu is not LPK member is a laughable story," Musei said.

Ababu has in the recent past been embroiled in a tussle with Makali, who was serving as party secretary general.

Makali claimed the MP planned a coup in his absence leading to his removal and replacement with Ole Musei who was the organising secretary.

Makali and Ababu are said to have differed when a group led by Ababu opted to work with Jubilee, while Makali insisted on working with the National Super Alliance.

Party chariperson Julia Ojiambo also dismissed the petition against Ababu saying they had full confidence in his leadership.

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Ababu quit his position as ODM secretary general saying leader Raila Odinga betrayed him and that they no longer shared the same beliefs.

He cited harassment and disrespect despite his efforts to market the party under the opposition's Cord coalition.

The Budalang'i said on Wednesday that he was happy but some of members of the public asked him to stop chest-thumping return to ODM.

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