Namwamba has never raised his concerns at ODM forums, says Nyong'o

Kisumu Senator Anyang’ Nyong’o on Tuesday evening refuted claims that he is the old shadow suffocating the Orange Democratic Movement’s new leadership.

Prof Nyong’o who was the ODM secretary-general until 2014, denied claims by the current office holder, Ababu Namwamba, who argued he felt like a “gun that lacks bullets.”

“Mr Ababu Namwamba’s claim that I have never handed over to him as secretary general is disingenuous and false. Ever since he took over as the ODM sec-gen we have had an "open door" policy for consultation whenever necessary,” Prof Nyong’o said in a brief statement last evening.

Mr Namwamba, who is also the Budalang’i MP, has accused the party’s old guard of being insensitive to other members especially those from western Kenya.

On Saturday, he threatened to quit the position and the party citing “frustrations.’

He demanded that the party considers their complaints.

“I cannot remain to be a general with a gun that lacks bullets. It is time I am given bullets or the owner of the gun takes it away all together,” said Mr Namwamba.

“You wanted a party secretary general with powers not one who speaks today and others contradict his position. I am the party spokesperson,” he said at the Bukalama Resort in Matayos near Busia County when they met ODM delegates from the county.

Mr Namwamba’s claim added fuel to the rising rebellion within the Orange Democratic Movement, a party that is a member oft eh opposition Coalition for Reform and Democracy (Cord).

At the Busia meeting, ODM Vice-Chairman Paul Otuoma (Funyula MP) announced he had resigned from the position, citing the same reasons as Namwamba.

On Tuesday, Prof Nyong’o argued the party’s secretary general had not raised these issues to an ODM forum despite there having been room for discussions.

“At no time has my friend drawn my attention to any of his handicaps that he is currently churning out. I am tempted to conclude that he is on some fishing expedition to find faults with the ODM and its leadership,” the Kisumu Senator added.

Mr Namwamba was appointed secretary general through consensus to replace Prof Nyong’o who had held the position since 2007.

It followed the chaotic and failed attempt to have new officials be elected by delegates in the same year.

In April 2014, goons in the famously labelled ‘Men in Black’ stormed the Kasarani Indoor Arena where voting was to take place and disrupted the programme.

After the new officials came on in late 2014, Prof Nyong’o told reporters at the time that it was ODM’s new strategy to ensure the party remains vibrant in future.

He argued it was also part of ODM's strategy to involve youthful leaders.

But since then, the new leaders have been labelled as spies of the ruling coalition, Jubilee. It is a charge they deny.

(Editing by Joel Muinde)