Azimio La Umoja flag bearer, Raila Odinga, has rubbished the Kenya Kwanza manifesto as underwhelming, punctuated by empty promises and slogans, 12 hours after the launch.
Raila, in a rally in Nyamira County on Friday, July 1, stated that Ruto failed to address crucial issues such as corruption.
"You saw yesterday they launched their manifesto. I have not heard a single word of corruption and that is the biggest problem. He says he will increase salaries, and revive the economy but failed to speak on corruption and we know why.
Through his spokesman, Prof Makau Mutua, Raila had earlier claimed that the much-hyped and delayed Kenya Kwanza manifesto had useless promises and lacked a clear plan for fighting graft.
“Kenya Kwanza is the home of the largest collection of questionable political characters this country has ever seen. Under its large tent reside convicts and suspects of economic crimes and corruption against the people of Kenya.
“Ruto himself is a scandal-ridden individual. He has been implicated in many economic crimes and acts of corruption. It is no wonder that Ruto and Kenya Kwanza have no agenda or plan to address corruption, the number one impediment to the development of our country,” Makau Mutua wrote.
Azimio seized the moment to market Raila’s agenda while countering Ruto’s plan. Makau noted that corruption is the biggest hindrance to a nation’s growth.
Raila and his running mate, Narc Kenya’s Martha Karua, he said, publicly committed to curbing corruption upon assuming office.
“That is the only way through which Kenya will realize its full potential. There will be zero tolerance for corruption under Azimio and those culpable will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law without ANY exceptions.
“How can they claim to fight for "hustlers" when they are scared to even mention and name our country's most important enemy? Kenyans must vote wisely on August 9, and last night was a crystal clear demonstration of why they must resoundingly reject Ruto and his Kenya Kwanza brigands,” Makau slammed.
However, a spot check on Ruto’s manifesto launch indicates that he addressed the vice, to an extent of assuring his followers that he would strengthen independent investigative agencies, which he argued were crippled under President Uhuru Kenyatta’s regime.
“Even if the president is corrupt, his own system will have him arrested,” Ruto noted that Kenya Kwanza treated the matter with utmost urgency.
He also vowed to adopt the bottom economic model while criticizing Raila’s vision for the country. The DP claimed that the handshake between Uhuru and Raila sabotaged the Big Four Agenda.
“I am the best person placed to succeed President Uhuru Kenyatta after the end of his term. We commit to revamping underperforming or collapsed export crops while expanding emerging ones such as coffee and boosting the tea value chain.
“We will establish MSME business development centres in every ward, and an industrial park and business incubation centre in every TVET institution,” he pledged.
