I am not joining Jubilee as DP William Ruto said Ababu Namwamba

Budalangi MP Ababu Namwamba has come out to strongly refute Deputy President William Ruto’s remarks about him joining Jubilee, insisting that no deal has been struck between his team and the ruling coalition.

Speaking just a day after DP Ruto said that the ex-Orange Democratic Party (ODM) Secretary General would join the Jubilee camp with the aim of consolidating support in traditional Opposition strongholds, Ababu said that the partnership agenda is not on the table.

“We are flattered by the reported desire of the DP to have us in Jubilee. But no, thanks. We are not available,” he said, adding: “…for the avoidance of doubt, there is no deal by myself or any member of the team involved in this initiative to join the Jubilee Party.”

The Western Kenya leader warned that nobody and should take advantage of those who have ditched the Orange party, adding that parties should not “salivate” over the political opportunities that have come out of the recent ODM resignations.

“No one should salivate and covet the political opportunities created by our actions and resignation from ODM positions. If anyone expects to reap from the decisions my colleagues and I have taken, they are mistaken. Although a girl has no control over the roaming eyes of any boy that may have designs on her, sadly for any suitors out there, Jubilee or CORD, this girl is simply not available!” Ababu said.

Rubbishing claims that he and other ODM rebels were paid hefty amounts to jump ship, the former party leader stated that move to consolidate the Western Kenya voting block was driven by the House of Mulembe’s “self determination” desire.

“This is about self determination. The very thought of the western region consolidating its political strength and reaching out to other parts of the country to build a formidable alliance is terrifying to those who have traditionally targeted the House of Mulembe as their hunting ground,” he said.

Ababu stated that the bringing together the traditionally fragmented Luhya vote was a threat to political players, and this has motivated opponents to churn out “spurious propaganda” to discredit them. He, however, reiterated his commitment to uniting Western Kenya.

“My colleagues and I are firmly focused on our agenda of realizing the political aspirations of the Mulembe Nation and the bigger western renaissance. We shall not be distracted by the wild propaganda and speculation about our destination or who we shall partner with in that journey,” Ababu said.

Speaking in Baringo on Saturday, DP Ruto said Jubilee was keen on wooing ODM MPs, stating that Ababu has already joined the Jubilee camp. He added that the Budalangi leader’s resignation was one of the party’s strategic moves ahead of the 2017 polls.