Kenya African National Union (KANU) party leader Gideon Moi on Thursday, May 14, shared a five-point plan days after the party entered into a post-election coalition agreement with the ruling Jubilee Party.
The coalition agreement was deposited at the Registrar of Political Parties on Monday, May 4, but its details were only made public on Sunday, May 10.
A day later, a KANU legislator, Samuel Poghisio, took over as Majority Leader in the Senate from Jubilee's Kipchumba Murkomen following a parliamentary group meeting at State House, Nairobi.
Gideon shared a statement as the party marked sixty years since it was founded on May 14, 1960, outlining five areas where Kanu planned on focusing its energies.
He acknowledged that the independence party had seen its fair share of ups and downs, calling for its current members to learn from past mistakes.
Gideon noted that the Covid-19 pandemic had caused the party to rethink its policies and prioritise particular areas, with one eye on the future.
Climate Change
First, he noted that the party was working closely with experts to formulate effective policies to combat climate change, blaming it for floods which have killed hundreds in the country in recent weeks.
"One thing we have for so long paid lip service to is our ecology. The environment in which we live must be jealously guarded against desecration.
"KANU, in conjunction with other non-governmental organisations, has begun laying down a policy framework for curbing climate change. The recurrent floods we are witnessing, droughts, and diminishing aquatic life are the consequences of climate change," Gideon's statement reads in part.
Safeguarding Local Resources
He went on to disclose that the party was looking at how to safeguard resources and ensure that they benefit local communities.
Gideon referenced the Local Content Bill, which was passed in 2019 after he sponsored it in the Senate, providing a framework to facilitate local ownership, control and financing of activities connected with exploitation of petroleum and mineral resources.
"Furthermore, the livelihoods of our people are at risk. KANU has been categorical about the protection and promotion of the local economy through our Local Content Bill that seeks to ensure proceeds from local resources benefit the locals more," Gideon noted.
Local Manufacturing
He went on to call for a shift towards local manufacturing, as the Covid-19 pandemic had proved Kenya had the capacity to look inwards for various essential products.
"And reaffirming our belief in the local solutions for local problems is the mass production of masks, PPEs, and ventilators in various parts of the country," he observed.
Party Structures and Youth in Leadership
The Baringo Senator went on to call for stronger party structures built around issues to allow for greater, meaningful political participation, further noting the importance of parties creating opportunities for youth in leadership.
He asserted that KANU had embarked on putting in place structures catering to youth, women and people with disabilities in a bid to empower them.
"We cannot achieve this without institutionalising political parties with meaningful solidarity around issues that advance the course of humanity. Parties must allow young people to initiate programs and participate in them as they climb the leadership ladder.
"Our present and future as a party are in the expansion of the already existing safe space for youths, women, and people with disabilities to thrive. Once this pandemic ends, we will roll out a comprehensive plan for our members, some of which have been ongoing," he noted.
