The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Secretary General and Budalangi Member of Parliament Ababu Namwamba has hinted at leaving the party just a day after Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) leader Raila Odinga gave him, and his Western counterparts, a two-week ultimatum to toe the party line or leave.
Speaking at a funeral in Bunyala, the Budalangi MP stated that he will not be cowed by anyone.
“When someone disrespects me, they disrespect the Budalangi people. We are free people, we are not slaves to any person. We make our decisions in a free manner. Very soon, I will open my heart and tell you what way to go,” said Namwamba.
The MP warned political leaders against peddling lies to the public.
“There is no one more special than the other. Let us respect each other. Where there is no respect, there can be no relationship. We are a free people, we can make independent people, and we can decide whatever we decide without any external influence,” said Namwamba.
Many leaders from the ODM party have criticised Namwamba saying he has distanced himself from the party and accusing him of working more with the Jubilee coalition.
“I will not allow anyone to stifle me, telling me I cannot go there, you cannot speak to this person, this one cannot be your friend. You want everyone to be your friend but you cannot allow others to have friends. You want to have a network but you don’t want others to have a network?”
Namwambawas put on the spot over his absence from party affairs including the anti-IEBC marches to the electoral body offices at Anniversary Towers in Nairobi and the public meetings held after the death of businessman Jacob Juma.
Reports indicated that attempts by the Namwamba team to forward their grievances directly to Raila were rejected.
The Budalangi MP was also accused of calling on ODM supporters to vote for individuals and not parties in the next elections with the ODM hierarchy saying this would impede the party’s efforts to have a six piece vote.
The ODM Secretary General, however, denied the allegations.
-citizentv.co.ke
 Secretary General and Budalangi Member of Parliament Ababu Namwamba has hinted at leaving the party){kind=link}