I'm in CORD all the way, declares Ababu Namwamba

Budalang'i MP Ababu Namwamba on Saturday discredited rumours on the probability of leaving CORD or breaking ranks with ODM party leader Raila Odinga.

“Some people are moving around day and night to see that Ababu and Raila don’t walk together. They will wait until Kingdom comes for their ill-schemes to be realized.

“I respect my Party leader Raila Amolo Odinga and I know he respects me. Let those peddling the rumours do their business elsewhere. We are firm in the party,” he said.

Ababu and Raila both dismissed the critics trying to divide them and declared that such are doomed to fail.

Speaking in Budalang'i during the burial of former Minister Fred Gumo's mother, Marita Gumo, who died aged 84, the two said they talk often with no bad blood between them.

Ababu said he will ensure ODM rejuvenates to take over leadership in Kenya come 2017.

"I have received a phone call that President Uhuru Kenyatta is visiting Budalangi on Sunday. Even if he comes we are not second class citizens. What we want to hear from him is when Sigiri Bridge will be built so as to end tragedies on the lake," he said.

Raila and Ababu later shared a podium where they shook hands to signify their cordial relationship contrary to critical rhetoric that Ababu could ditch ODM for Jubilee.

Raila regretted that Sigiri Bridge, which he sanctioned when he was roads minister and later when he was the Prime Minister had been ignored by Uhuru's administration to date.

"The Bridge had already been designed during my tenure in the government . These empty rhetoric have made us push for Okoa Kenya initiative to have a referendum to increase funding to the grassroots," said Raila.

Raila and Ababu were accompanied by Busia Governor Sospeter Ojaamong, Senator James Orengo, Funyula MP Paul Otuoma, Michael Onyura (Butula), Suna East, Vihiga and Mumias West MPs and Busia and Kakamega Women representatives Florence Mutua and Rachel Ameso.

The leaders pledged support and loyalty to the Okoa Kenya referendum push saying nothing could stop their resolve. Governor Ojaamong remarked that the referendum push could not be halted.

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