How Azimio Will Raise Billions to Fund Ambitious Manifesto

Azimio la Umoja One Kenya presidential running mate, Martha Karua, says the coalition has an elaborate plan on how it plans to raise billions of shillings to finance some of its key projects listed by Raila Odinga during his manifesto launch on Monday, June 6 at Nyayo Stadium.

Speaking to Citizen TV, Karua detailed that Azimio first intends to seal all the corruption loopholes and save the country Ksh800 billion lost through graft annually.

She went ahead to state that with proper mechanisms in place, Azimio will declare corruption to national security issue and use the money recovered from graft to fund some of the government projects.

Azimio One Kenya running mate Martha Karua addresses the gathering at the National Prayer breakfast as DP William Ruto watches on Thursday, May 26, 2022

PSCU

The Narc Kenya party leader specifically explained that the Ksh6,000 monthly stipend for vulnerable families will be raised by weeding out graft. She noted that the Azimio government will require Ksh150 billion a year to sustain the project.

"It is roughly Ksh120 to Ksh150 billion in a year. Remember we are losing over Ksh800 billion to corruption. There is money, and we will be able to do these things. We did not just pick these things from the air. Experts have brought this, we will do it," Karua stated.

Karua further detailed that the Azimio government intends to contain the rising debt ceiling by restructuring the financial sector. 

"We will ensure funds allocated are used optimally and for the intended purpose, not ending up with a few billionaires. Debt is not bad, but the first step is efficiency to use what we have," she added.

She reiterated that Azimio intends to grow the economy to a double-digit through manufacturing. This, he said, will create more wealth and jobs. 

Karua insisted that Raila intends to empower Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) including the Jua Kali sectors as drivers for the Made in Kenya initiative, creating an enabling environment for climate-smart agriculture, improved livestock farming and growth of the blue economy will be factored in his administration.

During the launch of his manifesto, Raila explained that addressing the issue of corruption will help the country address some of its endemic challenges.

"Zero-tolerance to corruption, commitment to addressing the high cost of living of all Kenyans, free education for all, universal quality healthcare for all, food security, safety and nutrition for all making every Kenyan feel secure and safe at home, in communities, rural areas, towns and cities will be given priority in our government," Raila stated.

Raila also explained the need of mainstreaming and harnessing information, communication and technology towards a digital economy and improving the ease of doing business by making the country an attractive investment destination to both local and international investors will also be factored in his administration.

IEBC Chairman Wafula Chebukati (left) and Azimio One Kenya presidential candidate Raila Odinga at the Bomas of Kenya on Sunday, June 5, 2022.

IEBC