Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition presidential candidate Raila Odinga has demolished Deputy President William Ruto's manifesto as simplistic with no bearing to transform the country or end the culture of corruption.
Raila and his troops poked holes in the DP's plans and claimed that his non-committal to fight corruption in the manifesto he launched on Thursday is a red flag, and asked Kenyans to treat his presidential bid with contempt. They described his manifesto as open lies and claimed that only their coalition have a tangible plan to transform the country and fight all the ills that has dragged the country's development.
While addressing residents of Ekerenyo in North Mugirango Constituency, Raila and Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka said Ruto had no moral authority to tell Kenyans problems which were straining their lives because he was part of them.
"It is a pity that the manifesto that was launched was full of so many words about many things that make little meaning but there was no single word he uttered about ending corruption in our beloved country," Raila said.
The former Premier said it was not imperative of Ruto to speak about how he will empower youths and specialised populations when he knew corruption was the cause of all the misery bedeviling the Nation.
"Increasing salaries, doing everything for everyone will be useless if corruption still thrives and the one disguising as the helper is the perpetrator," Raila said.
Transforming economy
In his manifesto, the DP unveiled an elaborate economic plan to transform the economy should he get elected. He listed Agriculture and security, housing and settlement, infrastructure, women agenda, education and health among his priority areas. The DP plans to spend up to Sh500b between 2023 and 2027 in the agricultural sector and the small and medium enterprises and is among the highlights of his manifesto.
Yesterday, however, Raila and his team dismissed his plans and claimed that they had no tangible basis. They claimed the DP lacked an ambition to fight corruption. According to them, only Azimio One Kenya coalition has assembled the formidable plan to deliver the country the third liberation, which they describe as an economic liberation. Raila said the third liberation of the country was real and unstoppable.
"We have successfully delivered on the country's first and second liberation. The only one remaining now is the economic liberation and it's time is here with us," he said.
Raila, in bid to strengthen his support from the Gusii Community assured resident of the region that he will maintain interior Cabinet Secretary in his government which he said he was sure of forming in 2022.
"When President Uhuru saw that he was going to fail because of his disrespectful DP, he sought Matiang'i hand in the Cabinet and he trusted him with a huge portfolio to keep as Chief Minister. He performed. And now, this is the assurance I give you as a community, I will continue with him in the next government I will form and he will be with me because he is a hardworking," Raila assured the people.
Kalonzo on his part said the Azimio La Umoja Government will be for the greater benefit of all Kenyans and that Kenyans should not trust Ruto.
"If there is a criminal enterprise that be in the country, then it must be that of Kenya Kwanza that is founded by Ruto," Kalonzo said.
Dr Mukhisa Kituyi who was also present told Kenyans to elect Raila.
"If we allow cartels to take over, it will be a problem for the country," Dr Kituyi said.
ODM National Treasurer Timothy Bosire who is seeking the Nyamira governor seat and his rivals Amos Nyaribo(UPA), Ben Momanyi(Wiper), Reuben Marwanga(Kanu) and other candidates for the North Mugirango Parliamentary seat assured Raila of full support and said they will mobilize voters to turnout in large numbers.
Others in the rallies were Nyanza Woman MPs Jerusha Momanyi (Nyamira), Gladys Wanga (Homabay) and Pamelah Odhiambo (Migori), Nyamira Senator Okong'o Mogeni. Mombasa businessman Shabal Shaban and governor Hassan Joho accused the DP of having a bloated budget from which he was planning to misuse public monies.
When Matiang'i rose to speak, he also assured Raila of full support from within the Community and asked residents to vote for the Government of former PM.
