Ababu Namwamba Resigns as Leader of Labour Party after Being Appointed to Cabinet

Following his appointment as Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) in the Foreign Affairs Ministry by President Uhuru, former Budalang'i Member of Parliament Ababu Namwamba has resigned from his position as leader of Labor Party of Kenya.

Addressing party officials at Noble Hotel in Eldoret on Saturday, Namwamba said he is relinquishing his position to focus on his new role at the Cabinet. “My appointment puts me in a place where I have to relinquish my political party post under Article 131 section 4 A on presidential appointments so that I can serve Kenyans,” said Mr Namwamba.

He went on: “Even as I exit the scene, I want to assure all of you that I am committed to continue offering my support to you and I have a lot of confidence in the team that I am leaving behind."

The former MP resigned from the position he has held since September, 2016 and in presence of party chairperson, Julia Ojiambo and Deputy Party Leader Esther Kondo.

In his speech, Ababu also poured praise on foreign envoys for acknowledging that President Kenyatta was the country's duly elected leader. “I want to laud the foreign envoys who have been calling for the closure of the last elections and maintaining that the country needs to focus on its development agenda. These are true friends of Kenya,” said Mr Namwamba.

On his new role, Namwamba said: “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is the window in which the world sees us. I will work with all the concerned parties in ensuring that we achieve our vision as a country."

Namwamba lost to Raphael Wanjala of Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) in the race to defend his Budalang’i parliamentary seat in the August 8th,2017 elections.