Ababu meets German ambassador, talks of third political force

Budalang’i MP Ababu Namwamba on Wednesday met German Ambassador Jutta Frasch for talks on the emerging “Third Political Force” ahead of the 2017 polls.

The two-hour meeting also centred on the political situation in Kenya, electoral reforms and German development in cooperation in the country.

“We agreed on a framework for engagement with the international community moving forward,” the MP said on Facebook.

He said he supports a commitment against “political brinkmanship”, and hopes for free, fair and credible elections in an environment of national cohesion, peace and stability.

His comments come barely days after he made good his threat to resign from his position as ODM secretary general.

At the meeting, Ababu was accompanied by Sirisia MP John Waluke who also resigned at the party’s Bungoma branch chairman post.

They called for sober politics as the country heads for the general elections next year.

The rebel MPs had earlier conducted a 12-day tour of the western region, and held talks with New Ford Kenya party leader Ken Lusaka in a move seen as escalating the fallout in ODM in the region.

While announcing his resigation, Ababu cited harassment and disrespect despite efforts to market the party under the opposition’s Cord coalition.

He had earlier complained of frustration since taking over from Kisumu Senator Anyang’ Nyong’o about a year and six months ago.

In the past, ODM leader Raila Odinga has traveled to Germany to woo investors for opposition-leaning counties.

He has also previously led Cord governors on trips to the US, in what he said was meant to help them pick lessons on how devolved units are run.

Over the next week, Raila intends to lead an elaborate tour of the western region in efforts to quell the rebellion and retain support ahead of next year’s polls.

–the-star.co.ke