Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya Alliance presidential candidate Raila Odinga has launched his manifesto in readiness for an intense campaign period ahead of the August 9, 2022, polls.
The manifesto focuses on at least 10 major areas, including devolution, women, agriculture, manufacturing, health, education, responsible leadership, water and the people.
Raila said that his main focus would be eradicating poverty, disease and ignorance among Kenyans, which he termed as historical.
"We recognize that the fight to eradicate the three historical ills- poverty, disease, and ignorance remains unaccomplished. So long as these three remain, compassion must animate the responsiveness of a people centered government," Raila said.
"We will achieve this through three main approaches: first, by ensuring that the economy is re-engineered for wealth creation through manufacturing, production and increased investment in home-grown industries in all counties; second, by addressing people’s welfare through social protection programmes, preservation of the environment and sustainable use our natural resources and thirdly by ensuring that all Kenyans have unfettered access to basic public goods like education, healthcare, food and nutrition, water and sanitation and are cushioned from such vagaries of nature as climate change," he added.
Raila promise on corruption
Raila promised that his administration would have zero-tolerance to corruption, address the high cost of living of all Kenyans, give free education for all, universal quality healthcare for all, food security, safety and nutrition for all.
He also promised to create an enabling environment that fosters respect for faiths, cultures and communities and also improve comprehensive foreign policy that would promote Kenya’s political, social, cultural and economic interests abroad.
The Azimio leader has also promised to promote good labour relations and protection of right of workers and also promote free and independent media.
In his Inua Jamii a social protection programme, Raila promised to deliver Ksh6,000 per month to each of the two million most needy and vulnerable households.
Speaking during the event, Raila's running mate Martha Karua promised that the Azimio leadership would be people centred, ensuring optimal use of resources.
"We are at a delicate moment of our history, a moment that calls for leadership that is people centered, a
leadership that views things with a social justice lens. It is a moment that calls for leaders with a shared history of fighting for the rights of the people, for democracy and the rule of law, leaders with a shared history of sacrifice and servant leadership to band together once again to advance the collective agenda of Kenya," Karua said.
Raila termed the upcoming elections as an opportunity for Kenyans to reboot the country, both economically and democratically.
"I envision a fresh thrust into rebooting our country, one not just occasioned through the electoral cycle
but one that heralds a new and distinct way of governance. What we are part of is something much
more triumphant: an awakening of the people. We are most fortunate to witness yet another rare moment in history when we get to experience what can be achieved when citizens in common bond united, coalesce around an idea, and especially an idea whose time has come," Raila said.
Speaking during the same event, Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka promised his support to the duo, even as he promised Kenya a 24-hour economy. Kalonzo was promised the position of a chief minister, which would be third in rank after the President and the Deputy President.
"I have walked this journey with my brother Raila, I pledge my full and unequivocal support. We have an election to win, we cannot play around. We almost lost our country in 2007 but this time Raila wins in round one," Kalonzo said.
