Ababu Namwamba is free to leave ODM, John Mbadi says

Ababu Namwamba is free to leave ODM, John Mbadi says

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) National Chairman John Mbadi now says that Budalang’i Member Of Parliament Ababu Namwamba is free to leave the party if he so wishes.

Speaking in Tiwi, Kwale County during a fundraiser for women groups, Mbadi said that while he would have wanted the embattled Secretary General to remain an ODM member, his stay was no longer tenable.

This comes just days after Namwamba announced his resignation as Secretary General at the Masinde Muliro University, Budalang’i Campus, citing frustrations from the party’s leadership.

Namwamba, who has also stated that he will be charting a new political course, has in the recent past faced sharp criticism from a section of ODM leaders who have numerously accused him of failing to execute his mandate, including skipping the recent Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) protests seeking the disbandment of the electoral body.

As the Orange House prepares to receive Namwamba’s resignation letter on Monday, seven contenders have already expressed interest in his seat.

Front runners who have developed appetite for the party’s powerful seat include former Deputy Speaker Farah Maalim, vocal Kilifi Women Representative Aisha Jumwa and nominated Senator Agnes Zani.

Others keen to controlling the party’s affairs ahead of the 2017 duel are Bungoma County activist Edwin Sifuna, Homa Bay Women Rep Gladys Wanga, nominated Senator Elizabeth Ongoro and Emuhaya MP Wilber Ottichilo.

Namwamba’s exit from the office and a probable exit from the party all together, has left the Orange in bad shape but the ODM chief is keen on giving equal slices to each region. Thus it is highly likely that the SG position will remain in the Western Kenya block.

Tags:

odm exit John Mbadi Budalang'i M.P. secretary general Ababu Namwaba party chairman

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