Azimio Manifesto: Raila to Declare Corruption a Threat to National Security in First 100 Days in Office

Azimio La Umoja-One Kenya coalition party presidential candidate on Monday unveiled a 10-point manifesto where he pledged to declare corruption a threat to national security in his first 100 days in office.

Odinga, who is trying his luck at the presidency for the fifth time, said his administration will establish a Corruption Surveillance Taskforce in the security forces within the first 100 days after being sworn in as the fifth president of Kenya.

“Azimio government wants to face this dragon called corruption head-on to ensure that we can be able to do our things in a clean and fair manner,” Odinga said during the manifesto launch at Nyayo Stadium.

The Azimio administration will direct Parliament to enact legislation to facilitate the expeditious investigation, prosecution and trial of cases relating to corruption and integrity.

“We shall also ensure that public servants do not engage in commercial and business activities with the government whatsoever,” said Mr Odinga

Similarly, he promised to implement policies that will reduce the cost of living in his first 100 days in office, with a special focus on the pressure of fuel, flour, mobile data and energy.

Odinga further pledged free primary, secondary and university education if he ascends to power this year, vowing to ensure that all unemployed teachers are absorbed in his first 100 days in office to improve the quality of education.

He also promised to improve the pay and terms of service for police and Kenya Defense Forces officers in his 100 days in office. His government will also implement a strict implementation of police reforms and establish a framework for rolling out the Virtual Police Station model.

On health, Odinga said his government will implement Baba Care programme, which seeks to integrate and give greater recognition to community health workers as partners at the grassroots as a cost-effective way to extend health services to hard-to-reach areas through a last-mile approach to healthcare.

Through his social transformation programme, Odinga said at least two million most poor families will benefit from a cash transfer of Sh6,000 a month. Odinga explained that the money is not a handout but an investment and a foundation for a new transformational value chain that will trigger massive economic activity and create thousands of localized small-scale businesses and enterprises across the country. 

“We shall commence providing social assistance to single mothers, implement a social protection programme for unemployed youths modeled around Kazi Mtaani and review the cost of living with special focus on the pressure of fuel, unga (flour), mobile data and energy,” said Mr Odinga in key promises targeting to address the rising cost of living.

Odinga also said his government will ensure at least each and every county has a manufacturing company and will waive regulatory and other licensing fees for new youth-led manufacturing innovations to ensure they are a success.

“We shall encourage and support technological exchanges with industries and other countries for mutual benefit, procure and promote “Made in Kenya” products – Buy Kenya Build Kenya -- and give incentives to Kenyans, including those in the diaspora, and foreigners, to invest in the manufacturing sector,” he said.

On MSME, Odinga said his administration shall implement the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) certification programme to award certificates to artisans, craftsmen and technicians who have obtained skills and knowledge through apprenticeship and work experience to enhance their employment opportunities.

“We shall adopt the Affordable Housing Programme Jua Kali Production Manual for purposes of ring-fencing the 69 items earmarked for Jua Kali production with the aim of expanding local manufacturing.”

The Azimio government, Odinga said, also plans to support the revival of the tourism sector by aggressively marketing the country as a premier tourism destination in the world.

“We shall promote Kenya as an affordable, safe destination in Africa and review visa restrictions that may inhibit travels,” he said.

On nation building, Odinga said his government will seek to reaffirm the status, nationality and citizenship of all minority ethnic groups in Kenya in their equal status with other Kenyans, and establish a National Heroes Trust to “immortalise our freedom fighters and the heroes of all our struggles, including men and women in uniform.”

The Azimio presidential candidate also promised to immediately pay compensation awards made by courts to victims of injustices by the state and establish the Kenya National Languages Council to promote all indigenous and sign languages and provide a comprehensive digital dictionary for all languages.

Below is a breakdown of Odinga’s 10-point manifesto.

1.    One County, One Product

The programme is anchored on manufacturing as the engine for wealth creation and employment to achieve a double-digit economic growth rate. Under this programme, the national government will provide material and technical support to each county government for vibrant industrialization. 

2.    Kazi Kwa Wote

The Azimio government plans to have manufacturing as the driver of an economic revolution to spur the growth of all sectors of the economy, resulting in employment and wealth creation. The government will support the growth of MSMEs, including the JuaKali sector through improved productivity and efficiency to spearhead the ‘Made in Kenya’ products.

3.     Fukuza Njaa

Odinga says his administration will create an enabling environment for smart agriculture, improved livestock farming and growth of the blue economy in order to achieve food security.

4.     Inua Jamii, Pesa Kwa Jamii

Under this programme, the Azimio government will give a Sh6,000 stipend per month to two million most needy households across the nation as well as support the elderly, single parents, and people living with disability.

5.    'Azimio La Kina Mama'

Odinga’s government plans to focus on the true multipliers of wealth in the Kenyan community—the women. The programme seeks to unlock access to financing for women-led businesses and provide support for women on other enabling factors such as access to assets for production, land tenure and proportional representation at all levels of government.

6.    #Inawezekana'

Odinga says the Azimio administration recognizes that the youth are the engine of the country’s long term growth and development. They will be equipped with the mindset, skills, funds and technology to enable them to innovate.

7.     Baba care'

BabaCare seeks to ensure access to quality healthcare services by all Kenyans as per need and, provided by motivated health professionals. 
8.    Waste not a Single Child

This programme seeks to ensure that all Kenyan children get access to quality education from primary all the way to tertiary education.

9.    Maji Kwa Kila Boma

Odinga says his government will implement the Maji Kwa Kila Boma programme to radically reverse the shortages and high cost of water and ensure access by all, particularly the poor.

10.    Administrative Continuity

The Azimio government pledges to build up on and improve on the gains made by the exiting government. Odinga argues that Africa suffers from a retrogressive mindset of starting afresh, instead of advancing existing accomplishments.