The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader, Raila Odinga, has explained how he plans to raise at least Ksh100 billion social welfare money if elected President in the 2022 General Election.
Speaking in Nairobi County on Wednesday, October 13, the former Premier affirmed that the Ksh6,000 monthly promise to poor households would be funded through budget cuts as well as money recovered from the proceeds of graft.
He noted that his government would target at least two million households in a bid to cushion them from the tough economic times and absorb them from the ravaging poverty.
According to Raila, the Ksh100 billion projected cost would involve all ministries taking 25 per cent budget cuts. This would be added to the Ksh37 billion already in place.
In order to sustain the social welfare plan, the ODM leader stated that his government would focus on mass job opportunities for the youth in his first year in office, cutting of government spending, restructuring of the government in a bid to reduce expenditure as well as sealing of graft loopholes.
Raila compared the promise to the free primary education pact he made during the grand coalition government with former President Mwai Kibaki.
Raila continued to urge his supporters to continue registering as voters in a bid to secure votes and win the coming 2022 General Election.
Recently, he stressed that his decision to declare his candidature would be impacted by the outcome of the ongoing registration of voters.
The ODM party leader noted that low registration turnout could lead him to opt-out of the race.
"You must all get your shield and spear for me to be able to have a strong command against our opponents,” he stated.
Raila has been on a campaign trail in different parts of the country, despite not officially throwing his hat in the ring for the Presidential seat.
If the former Premier declares his candidature, it will be his fifth stab at the top seat pitting him against Deputy President William Ruto, Amani National Congress leader Musalia Mudavadi, Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, speaker of the National Assembly Justin Muturi among others.
