President William Ruto had assembled a formidable team to spearhead his campaigns in the August election. His campaigns were well-oiled and organized having managed to traverse all counties in Kenya as well as engage with members of the diaspora community.
This called for immense organization and planning through his campaign secretariat team comprising members with different abilities and expertise.
In the team consisting of various departments, former Budalang'i lawmaker Ababu Namwamba was heading the international relations in the Kenya Kwanza campaign team.
President William Ruto appointed Ababu as his head of International relations in February 2022. Ruto cited Ababu's diplomatic talents and his strong network as some of the leading factors that compelled him to make the appointment.
“With his considerable diplomatic talents, deep knowledge of the continent, strong network on the global stage and unwavering determination, I am confident in his role, leading international relations within my presidential campaign,” Ruto said in a statement in 2022.
During the campaign period, Namwamba engaged election observers and diplomats on behalf of the Kenya Kwanza Coalition. After the election, the former legislator welcomed congratulatory messages from diplomats and world leaders drawn from various parts of the world.
On Tuesday, September 13, the former CAS in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was among the four Kenya Kwanza leaders present at the signing of Ruto’s first executive order at State House on Tuesday.
Ababu, 47, holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Nairobi and a Master of Laws degree in International Law from American University Washington College of Law. Prior to his venture into politics, he had a tremendous record as a litigator where he pioneered public interest litigation.
He was first elected as the Member of Parliament for the Budalangi Constituency in 2007. Despite being a first-time MP, his impact in the 10th parliament was massive, characterized by his fierce defence of then Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
During the swearing-in ceremony in the 10th parliament, Ababu refused to swear his allegiance to President Mwai Kibaki, who ODM accused of interfering with the 2007 election, and instead recognized Raila Odinga as his president.
On the floor of parliament, the vocal young parliamentarian impressed many with his articulate debates and speeches regarding various stands on issues. His voice did not go unrewarded as he was elevated to the position of ODM's Parliament Secretary.
He also served as the Chairperson of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Constitutional Review as well as the Public Accounts Committee (PAC).
In 2012, Namwamba was appointed s the Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs in the Grand Coalition government where he served until 2013.
He was appointed as the Minister of Sports in 2012.
He however fell out with Raila in 2016 when he resigned from the leadership of ODM alongside Paul Otuoma. Namwamba stated that Raila was no longer capable of convincing voters to back him after having contested twice.
He formed the Labour Party of Kenya to defend at the onset of the 2017 elections. However, he lost at the hands of ODM's Raphael Wanjala in the elections. His close association with William Ruto is believed to have played a factor in his loss in the region that has for a long time voted in favor of Raila.
His close association was, nonetheless rewarded with an appointment to the Foreign Affairs Ministry after the 2017 elections.
Focus now shifts to the new president as he prepares to appoint his cabinet ministers.
