NAIROBI, Kenya, Jan 23- Amani National Congress Musalia Mudavadi is officially in the presidential race, after a national delegates conference held at the Bomas of Kenya in Nairobi, endorsed him.
The event was attended by among others Deputy President William Ruto and dozens of legislators allied to him, and his United Democratic Alliance party.
It is during the event that Mudavadi issued a hard-hitting statement over the government failures to revive the economy, create job opportunities, slay the dragon of corruption and protect the 2010 constitution.
But it is also on the same podium that Mudavadi rolled out his plan if elected the fifth President of the Republic of Kenya.
On devolution, Mudavadi said he know where the “nuts and bolts” of a working devolution system are needed.
“I vow to fully implement an effective devolution system as demanded by the Constitution and desired by Kenyans,” the ANC leader said.
With about a third of Kenya’s national budget being stolen every financial year, Mudavadi committed to initiate radical measures that will ensure the vice is eliminated.
As it is, he said President Uhuru Kenyatta’s government had weaponized the war on graft, citing it as the reason why it “was limping.”
“Independent institutions have been politicized and personalized, for political scarecrow purposes and persecution of dissent,” Mudavadi said.
Such claims have been made by UDA leaders, who say those allied to DP Ruto have become a soft target for investigating agencies, as they turn a blind eye on their counterparts affiliated with other political formations.
“Individuals who do not toe a particular political line are targeted day-in-day-out for witch-hunting through state agencies,” he asserted.
“This must not be allowed to go on. We will stand up against political arm-twisting and kidnapping of state entities for selfish missions, even way before we form a government. When we get there, they will be things of the past.”
Of the measures, he intends to adopt if elected President, he said was strengthening, “stringent anti-corruption laws, making anti-corruption agencies efficient to stop theft in public procurement, and enforce transparency and accountability in government.”
-Labour Movement Cannibalized-
In a direct attack on the Central Organisation Trade Union (COTU) leader Francis Atwoli, he said the current status of labour movement was wanting.
In his own words, he said the labour movement has been “vandalized and cannibalized by clueless and clownish self-serving leadership.”
As such, if elected President, Mudavadi said he will restore the waning glory of the labour movement in the country.
“Under my watch, the labour movement is going to regain its sense of purpose and respectability as the middle house between employers and their employees,” he said.
“COTU will not be a clownish cowboy club that labours for a few individuals. COTU is hostage to clowns who openly boast of, and display, the trappings of massive opulence, whose sources remain smoky and mysterious.”
A firm speaking Mudavadi added that “these clowns have bastardized state institutions by weaponizing them for selfish ends. The robust labour movement has been vandalized and cannibalized by clueless and clownish self-serving leadership.”
He lamented that COTU is hostage to clowns “who openly boast of, and display, the trappings of massive opulence, whose sources remain smoky and mysterious.”
Atwoli has declared his support for former Prime Minister Raila Odinga and has been rooting for him.
He has been hosting various national leaders at his Kajiado County home, where it is alleged that they strategies on ensuring the Orange Democratic Movement leader has a clear win on August 9, 2022, presidential election.
-Democracy on Trial-
Mudavadi cautioned that there were attempts to water down the gains of Kenya’s 2010 constitution.
“There is sinister counter-democracy insurgency creeping into our governance system. Anti-people plots are afoot to curtail and defeat not only rights and freedoms, but also electoral democracy,” he said.
“These shenanigans are aimed at subverting free, fair and verifiable elections by crippling political parties. There are shameful manoeuvres to assault and curtail Kenyans’ political rights to associate and freely choose their leaders.”
Without making reference to anyone, he said there were attempts by ‘shadowy elements’ to coerce, intimidate and impose handpicked leaders.
“This is a perilous road that can only lead to civil strife,” he cautioned.
He said the stability of Kenya is derived from the legitimacy bestowed through popular elections.
“In the forthcoming elections, the people of Kenya as a sovereign have the duty, as warned by Lincoln “not to overthrow the Constitution,” like some want, “but to overthrow the men who pervert the Constitution,” he said.
-Reviving The Economy-
Under the Uchumi Bora Pesa Mfukoni mantra, he said ANC is looking beyond the five-year term of government, to implement appropriate policies to support faster economic growth.
He said Uchumi Bora, Pesa Mfukoni is a strategy to resuscitate the economy and put money where it helps most – in your pocket.
“Remember, you are only safe if your neighbour is safe too,” he said.
“Uchumi Bora, Pesa Mfukoni is about moving sovereignty to shared economic benefits for all.
No one will be left behind or be discriminated against.”
President Kenyatta’s government has been on spot for being on a borrowing spree, but if elected, Mudavadi said he will restrict borrowing through scaling down of non-priority projects.
“We will acquire and use debt prudently without straining Kenyans by creating a debt regulatory institution within the first year of the ANC government,” he said.
He lamented that Kenyatta’s government is in what he termed as an embarrassing national ritual of adjusting the debt ceiling upwards, all the time.
“It is deceit bordering on criminal intent,” he said.
“I am boldly stepping out of the shadows to caution the government against borrowing expensive easy-to-embezzle commercial loans with short repayment periods. I have what it takes to change course. I may not have the fabled Midas Touch.”
He also indicated that he will be reviewing Kenya’s foreign policy, to ensure priority is given to the country and its people.
Mudavadi also committed to protecting the devolution if elected President and empowering the minorities including the people living with disabilities.
Want to send us a story? Contact Shahidi News Tel: +254115512797 (Mobile & WhatsApp)
