“I have seen manifestos that do not reflect our national budgetary realities. Others are stretched pipe dreams” – Mudavadi/FILE
Mudavadi described the Amani manifesto as pragmatic and based on the revenue the country generates. “Today, Amani coalition presents to you a real manifesto… one that reflects the realities existing in Kenya today.
“I have seen manifestos that do not reflect our national budgetary realities. Others are stretched pipe dreams.”
The 10 key areas the manifesto focuses on are education, health, security, the constitution, infrastructure, the economy, youth, gender, devolution and international integration.
“My experience in government has been a learning platform. I know what is probable, what is possible and what is imponderable.”
The Amani coalition which is made up of the United Democratic Forum (UDF), KANU and New Ford Kenya pledges to provide free public education from nursery to secondary school.
Citizens aged above 70 years of age will also be able to access free healthcare at public hospitals, “providing a comprehensive social security scheme for senior citizens and people with disabilities,” the manifesto explains.
Expectant mothers, Mudavadi added, would also access free maternal health care in public hospitals.
On the area of devolution, Mudavadi promised to constitute land commissions in every county to rectify historical injustices. “We want functioning County Land Commissions in place to begin the process of identifying and redressing historical land injustices.”
In the event that he is voted in as the fourth president, Mudavadi assured women that they would have a reason to celebrate because he would be committed to implementing the constitution in full including the provision that at least a third of every public body is comprised of women.
He also promised women that he would ensure strict penalties for sexual harassment. “I know that these are pre-conditions that will enable the proud Kenyan woman feel free to compete and fulfil her potential in life.”
In the implementation of Vision 2030, the Amani coalition promises to expedite the LAPSSET project which seeks to create a transport corridor from Lamu to Ethiopia and Southern Sudan.
The Deputy Prime Minister said his government would partner with locals, Kenyans in the Diaspora and the international community to see the $23 billion project become a reality. “It will open up 600 million people market in East and Central Africa for Kenyan goods and services.”
His running mate Jeremiah Kioni endorsed Mudavadi as the best presidential candidate as he would safe guard Kenya’s relationship with the international community.
“We sell our tea; we sell our coffee and other products to the international community. Many of our sons and daughters are beneficiaries of education in foreign lands and we are signatories to many international treaties. We will need the continued support of the international community.”
America and the European Union have cautioned Kenyans to be careful about whom they vote into State House on March 4 as there will be “consequences” to their decision.
Coalition partner and Justice Minister Eugene Wamalwa was notably absent from the manifesto launch but was represented by the New Ford Kenya Secretary General colonel Benjamin Muema who urged Kenyans not to vote in leaders who do not honour Memorandums of Understanding.
KANU’s Secretary General Nick Salat exuded confidence that come Monday’s first ever presidential debate, Mudavadi would emerge victorious and opinions polls carried out the subsequently would prove it.
“The right time to have polls taken is from tomorrow after the (presidential) debate because I know Kenyans will have known who their president will be.”
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