Namwamba, veteran journalist land top posts in new party

Namwamba, veteran journalist land top posts in new party

Former Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Secretary General, Ababu Namwamba, is now the Labour Party of Kenya (LPK) party leader.

Namwamba, who is also the Budalangi Member of Parliament, was unveiled Thursday, September 22 during the party’s re-launch at the Karen’s Mamba Village in Nairobi.

The Labour Party of Kenya is chaired by Prof Julia Ojiambo, who has been the national chair, despite the political vehicle remaining dormant for some time.

Veteran journalist, now political analyst, David Makali becomes the party’s Secretary General and is expected to shape its agenda ahead of the 2017 polls.

Makali, who contested for the Bungoma Senatorial seat during a by-election in late 2013 but lost to incumbent Moses Wetangula, is expected to lead the party as it strategises on how to capture as many seats as possible in the 2017 General Election.

Upon taking over, Namwamba said it took him time to settle on a party and when time came, LPK was more than a political home for him.

He thanked the members for welcoming him in the party that has been in existence for the last 18 years despite being politically inactive.

Namwamba also seized the opportunity to criticise the ODM party leader, Raila Odinga, terming his as undemocratic and a person who cannot accommodate different views.

He claimed that the hardliner stance of the ODM leader forced him to quit the party.

On the newly found political home, Namwamba said that LPK will not join any political coalitions, be it Jubilee or CORD, but will field candidates in all fields in the 2017 polls.

The party chair, Prof Julia Ojiambo, said the new-look LPK will give alternative to Kenyans adding that most voters have expressed dissatisfaction with both CORD and Jubilee.

She, however, noted that the party will have candidates for all elective seats apart from the presidency but declined to disclose who they will back for State House job.

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