Today, leaders of the Kenya Kwanza Coalition pitched camp in Kakamega, Busia, and Bungoma counties in another round of campaigns in the region, popularizing the ‘bottom-up, pesaPesa mfukoni’ economic model.
The team led by Deputy President William Ruto, ANC party leader Musalia Mudavadi and his Ford Kenya counterpart Moses Wetang’ula started the day off with a consultative economic forum with the people of Busia County, taking views from representatives of different sectors on what they wanted to be done for them if the coalition forms government in August.
Members from the Boda Boda sectors, artists, cross-border traders, teaching fraternity, community health volunteers, the saloon, jua kali, PLWD, and farmers aired out their challenges, views, and proposals on improving and empowering their sectors.
The bottom-up economic model is modeled along four pillars that include production, value addition, market, and financial benefit.
Addressing the representatives at Mangatsi Technical and Vocational College, the DP noted that the countrywide consultative forums involved the citizens in deciding on the projects they want.
“Kenya Kwanza administration is changing the conversation from politicking to issue-based where the people decide the projects that are beneficial to them,” he said.
Ruto said the coalition’s administration will restore the ailing hotel industry in the border town of Busia as well as expand the Kisumu-Busia road with a modern parking bay at the border town for the trucks.
“We want to change the politics of our country and that is why we are having such town hall issue-based conversations. In the past, campaigns have been more of politicking and having politicians say what they want and not have the people decide what they want to be done for them,” he said the event also attended by Busia Governor aspirant Sakwa Bunyasi, former Budalang’i MP Ababu Namwamba and ANC party Chairman Kevin Lunani.
The team also addressed rallies at Buchifi in Mumias West, Eshisiru in Lurambi, and Chwele in Bungoma County.
Ruto noted that the Kenya Kwanza administration will strive to revive the collapsed industries like the tobacco ginnery, the fish sector, and, the sugar industry to create jobs and spur the economy.
“Our politics are not about sharing positions but tackling issues that affect the common mwananchi and do away with the pride of some leaders who think Kenyans are fools,” he added.
He promised that as President, he will be going to the people through such forums where Kenyans get to say what they want to be done for them.
“As leaders, it’s high time we start thinking about the common man in mind, how to transform the country and increase the life expectancy of our people,” he said.
Mudavadi challenged the people of Busia to join the Kenya Kwanza team informing the fifth government.
The ANC leader questioned the government’s sincerity in telling Kenyans that the economy has grown by seven percent yet many Kenyans are hard hit by the high cost of living.
“They are telling us that the economy is growing while the prices of goods have gone up. The cost of fuel is at its highest. Kenyans are suffering,” he said.
He noted that the opinion polls being released every week, showing that Azimio and its leader are favorites for the August poll are State-funded and a ploy to cheat Kenyans.
He asked the Busia people to join the coalition and guarantee a round one victory adding that Azimio candidate Raila Odinga is a State House project who is being controlled and told what to say and do.
“The current Raila is not the Raila I campaigned for in 2017 or the one we were within 2007. This is a remote-controlled Raila who will not be the one running the government but controlled by a remote on what to do,” Mudavadi said, as he dismissed his candidature.
The Amani leader came to the defense of the Deputy President over accusations by Uhuru of disserting him when he needed his help in running the government.
“For over two years, the Cabinet has not met to discuss the affairs of the country. The President took away all his responsibilities and delegated them to someone else, how then can he accuse Ruto of not helping him?” he posed.
Mudavadi said his decision to join forces with the DP and support his presidential bid was a sacrifice he had made in the interest of the country.
“My people, where do you and your generations want to be? What have you gained from Azimio and the support given to Raila Odinga for decades?” he asked.
He added: “We have supported the leader for many years and we never gained anything.”
Wetang’ula noted that the Kenya Kwanza administration has developed a blueprint meant to bolster the economy, noting that the Mombasa-Busia/Malaba road will be made a dual carriage.
He reached out to the western electorate to vote for the coalition’s candidates. “I want to tell the people of Busia that this is your bedroom and you should not allow any person to come here and tell you that this is his region. No, you should know where your interests are and that is in Kenya Kwanza,” he said.
Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria urged the people to highlight their problems so that they can be addressed promptly.
He noted that Kenyans have solutions to their problems only if they are given a platform to highlight them, adding that Kenyans should forget about politics of tribalism and positions and embark on building the economy.
He said Kenya belongs to all her people and no one should claim that he downtowns or controls whichever region.
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