Come back home ‘son’, Raila Odinga to Ababu Namwamba

ODM leader Raila Odinga has extended an olive branch to Budalang’i MP Ababu Namwamba calling on him to return to the party.

In a roadside address in Majengo area, Raila said that the party is open to uniting Western region adding that calls by Namwamba on creating a Luhya Nation were misplaced.

“There has been calls for the formation of a Luhya Nation but they are just aimed at dividing the region.”

“Do not fall victim to their attempts of saying we are Luhyas and they are Luos. We in ODM practice politics of unity and not tribal divisions. We embrace social democracy and that is why our party members are allowed to express their grievances without victimisation.”

Raila also called on Amani National Congress (ANC) leader Musalia Mudavadi and Funyula MP Paul Otuoma to return to ODM.

The ODM leader further called on leaders from the region to reject bribery attempts by Jubilee and stay strong in the party.

Namwamba and Otuoma resigned from their positions as ODM Secretary General and National Chairman respectively and have hinted at plans to form a “Third Force” to face CORD and Jubilee in the next election.

The two are however yet to terminate their membership in the party.

On Sunday, Namwamba refuted claims by Deputy President William Ruto that he was headed to Jubilee saying he is “not available”.

Some leaders in ODM have claimed that Namwamba was bribed to ditch ODM and join Jubilee, allegations that he has denied.