Amani team outlines national growth agenda

By Standard Team

NAIROBI, KENYA: Amani Coalition Presidential candidate Musalia Mudavadi unveiled his manifesto in his bid to State House, just 21 days to the polls.

In the ten-point plan, Mudavadi promised to assist the elderly through a Sh5,000 monthly stipend and a comprehensive medical cover financed by taxpayers. This would apply to those aged 70 and above.

While unveiling the manifesto at Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC), Mudavadi said if elected, his government would focus on funding basic education from nursery to secondary level, relieving parents the burden of paying school fees.

“State funded free education is not an enticement for your vote. It is a must do because it is the catalyst to a revamped economy and an avenue for inclusivity for the marginalised, minorities, youth and women. It is not grandstanding; it is real and achievable,” said Mudavadi.

Pipe dreams

Party supporters sang praises of the Amani coalition and its flag bearer outside the venue just before the ceremony started.

And as Mudavadi’s voice wafted through the tented grounds, hundreds of supporters cheered.

Mudavadi, who has served as Finance Minister during the Kanu government, criticised CORD and Jubilee manifestos saying they do not reflect the national budget realities.

“I have seen manifestoes that are stretched pipe dreams and heightened propaganda meant to hoodwink people,” said Mudavadi.

Perhaps, relying on his economics background, he said he was not cynical, but rather a realist with a pragmatic sense of purpose and would only promise what can be achieved given the economic situation.

“We must balance our genuine expectations against the resources available for economic growth and the need to roll out our development wheels. We must generate resources first then channel them into development,” said Mudavadi.

His government, he said, would diversify the economy from agriculture to include industrialisation, science, innovation and technology. Full implementation of the Constitution and observation of the rule of law also forms the plan of the Amani government.

The Deputy Prime Minister promised to focus on physical infrastructure and completion of Vision 2030 flagship projects, especially the Lamu Port-Southern Sudan-Ethiopia Transport (Lappset) Corridor.

Given that peace and security are paramount for economic development, Mudavadi said he would provide effective and efficient security system and also come up with an effective empowerment strategy that guarantees and ensures participation of the youth in wealth creation.

Other agenda for the Amani government are provision of accessible and affordable healthcare and clean water and a comprehensive social security scheme for senior citizens and people living with disabilities.

He further promised equitable distribution of resources among the 47 counties and ensuring the gender provision in the new Constitution is adhered to.

Women’s health

Mudavadi’s running mate Jeremiah Kioni said they would bring desired change to the country by focusing on real issues affecting Kenyans. To achieve this, Amani government would meet maternity costs of pregnant women and also raise the social security premium for senior citizens as a way of uplifting their lives.

Kanu chairman Gideon Moi said the manifesto is a contract between Amani Coalition and the people of Kenya and that they would uphold its contents.

“This manifesto spells out what we want to achieve and how we want to achieve them when we form the next government,” said Gideon. Amani coalition is composed of Kanu, United Democratic Forum (UDF) and New Ford-Kenya.

Gideon drummed up support for Mudavadi, saying he has what it takes to change Kenya.

“Mudavadi has the humility to lead Kenya and this manifesto is a policy document on how Mudavadi will govern this country. We believe Mudavadi has what it takes to give Kenyans back their country,” he said.

Economic model

Kanu’s Secretary General Nick Salat said Mudavadi understands issues that affect Kenyans and that today’s presidential debate would attest to this and his ratings would soar henceforth.

Mudavadi said he would push for a “diamond economic model” that pulls more people from the lower class into the middle class.

Rolling out an export led economic growth, investment in infrastructure, agriculture, cultural and psychological re-orientation and technological deepening are some of the issues the DPM has offered to tackle. “I seek to reset the clock, define a new direction, create a new focus and a new development agenda that will serve the country for the next 50 years and beyond,” said Mudavadi.

He added: “The country must renew faith on itself and write a new social contract with its citizens that creates a new set of values and beliefs.”

Reports compiled by Peter Opiyo, Vitalis Kimutai, Lorna Kibet and Rawlings Otieno