IF IT'S WORKING DON'T FIX IT - STAY THE COURSE AND MOVE THE NATION TO THE NEXT LEVEL: Whither ODM Manifesto??

forwarded by: patrick_manyeki

According ODM manifesto, Raila promises to invest at least 10 percent of the country's GDP on infrastructural development over the next five years. The question keen political observers are asking is what infrastructural project has Raila ever initiated for his constituents in Kibera that could be scaled up to the national level. In fact, his political opponent in Langata seems to understand better the problems facing Kibera people as he recently supplied the neediest with new bicycles to enhance their mobility. Most constituents interviewed intimated that they are more likely to vote for Livodo simply because he has shown to be an action oriented and practical leader who addresses real problems and provides real solutions through philanthropic contribution. This timely manner of empowering the people has resonated with Kibera people who claim Livodo's concern hints where their hearts intersect. The people of Kibera accused their former MP for not initiating any projects geared to increasing jobs opportunities despite his tough rhetoric.

Raila promises to introduce a modern integrated rail infrastructure that connects all parts of the country. Political analysts find this type of campaign strategy of promising everything to all people suicidal because unlike years ago when politicians would promise heaven and expect to be elected on the basis of their imaginary or empty promises, today Kenyans are very politically mature and they can analyze what is practical and what is just raw politicking.

The electorates have discovered that they are being lied with unsubstantiated and untested policies and this realization can be attributed to the continuous downward trend of ODM popularity as indicated in the recent Steadman poll. The youth in particular who had been caught up in the web of deceit and trickery or ODM euphoria are now demanding that all candidates run on their records and not on hypothetical models that only the likes of Dick Morris are capable of creating. Hence, Raila's promise to launch the new electric rail-line as a special pledge for Kenya's 50 th independence anniversary is a fascism ideology that the Kenyan youth have refused to buy. If Raila cannot show a single pathway that he has fixed in Kibera with millions of shilling in his CDF kitty, how can he convince Kenyans about electrified rail lines at the national level?

Raila promises that thousand of children under the age of five years will have access to free health care and expectants mothers will also get free ante-natal and post-natal care. While this is a welcome strategy, it is not lost to keen political observers that Raila has not demonstrated the ability to take care of a small demographic in Kibera. That being the case, then how can Kenyans trust his uncultivated promises of everything to all people? For example, the US Senator Obama who is currently running for the presidential nomination on Democratic Party ticket strives to ground his policy thinking in simple common sense. He cites staff he did as a local youth organizer and outlines his achievement and experience. In Raila's case, if none of the health clinics in Kibera is adequately equipped today, then he has no case to argue that he will do so for everyone in the entire country when he is president. A leader who leaves no foot prints after many years in public service is not t he ideal choice for President when the country continues to make unprecedented milestones especially in education, health and economic development.

Raila's pledge to introduce free quality secondary education within a system of a comprehensive basic education from early childhood to adulthood is a belated prophesy. Millions of Kenyans are enjoying the free primary education which only became possible after President Kibaki successfully implemented the program and from next year his government will put into operation modalities to ensure access to free quality secondary school education. In this regard, President Bill Clinton endorsed President Kibaki as a great leader for free education initiative as Clinton strongly believes that education levels the playing ground and ensures that every child has a chance to realize their full potential. His motto is "everything is possible to those who work hard in school" - that echoes Kibaki's unmatched motto of a Working Nation!

Keen political observers wonder why Raila has not demonstrated that crime can be eradicate completely in Kibera before he promises how his government will map up crime 'hotspots' in urban and rural areas. Unlike the Republican front runner in the American presidential nomination, Rudy Giulian, who is credited with stamping out crime in New York City through a series of tough policies when he was mayor, Raila has nothing to write home about even after representing Langata people for over a decade. His means that justifies the end as a Machiavelli admirer is to suppress people further into poverty and exploit their suffering by encouraging them to blame the government of the day. Kenyans deserve a practical leader who provides realistic solutions and not mere rhetoric. Most observers are wondering why Raila has no record to run on except probably the slums and flying toilets in Kibera which a lot of people are scared he might want to scale up so as to hang into power (for more details read The Prince).

Raila promises to establish a new Metropolitan Police Authority for Nairobi, which is better trained and well equipped 'crack force' to deal with rising gun crime. It is not lost to keen observers that Raila recently organized criminals to protest and force the police out of an established police post in Kibera - reasons to keep the law enforcers out of his territory so he can conveniently organize and manipulate crime to suit his whims. How can he promise security when his hands are full of blood as the chief architect of 82' coup where many innocent Kenyans lost their lives and properties? He is on record as a breaker of political parties and initiator of squabbles and violence. Kenyans will never forget the sight on TV when he took his army to Thika to fight for the leadership of FORK-K against the Former Vice President Hon. Michael Wamalwa.

Raila promise to stop escalation of environmental degradation and desertification by ensuring that policy is built into every economic decision in all areas of government is the biggest political joke of 2007. Kibera is infested with all toxic pollution and Raila now masquerading as a reformist has a blue print full of strategies to solve Kenyans problems. It is not lost to keen observers that in the absence of core values and a record that provide a broad sense of how he would handle the great issues of the nation - voters are not likely to be convinced especially because he is running against an incumbent running on a great tested record. In this context, Raila's promises are perceived as the least bit sincere and lacking freshness and buoyancy to scrub toxins surrounding his political life.

Although Raila thinks of himself as "the bridge that links the historic moments of the past to the bright future ahead" his manifesto lacks genuine optimism and portrays the party with intentions to galvanize the nation through majimbo strategy, consulting South African renowned witch doctors, signing secret MOU to establish an Islamic State against the wish of Kenyans, and hiring of an American disgruntled political strategist who has no reputation or credibility to come and distort the general election through spin and unscientific polls are some of the glaring political goofs that make many Kenyans doubt Raila's judgment. Hence, his lack of sound judgment probably has greatly contributed to the continuous fall of ODM popularity among Kenyans as shown by the recent Steadman poll.

The recent Steadman Poll showing a steady downward trend for ODM popularity echoes the changing attitude among the youth and women in particular. Some youth who talked to this writer reckoned that ODM nomination fiasco has grievously angered popular aspirants and their supporters who were replaced by Raila cronies. The ODM supporter cited the case of Stephen Mwanga, who was replaced by former MP, James Orengo in Ugenya as a big embarrassment and charade of democracy. The ODM supporters in general seem to have lost the trust and confidence they had placed on their leaders. It will be interesting to see how the party will counter this negative wave in the country especially in Nyanza, Western and most parts of Coast Province.

It is not lost to political observers that the youth seem to have realized that ODM's unrealistic promises are a disservice to their future ambitions. Youths from Western Province and North Rift Valley region intimated that instead of being asked to arm themselves with stones and energy to cause chaos and heckle opponents, they have chosen to prepare and present their business plans for funding. One youth observed that "the ODM leaders are misusing us and we have decided to refuse their call and instead take advantage of the 6 billion that the government has set aside for women and youth to start small business as a sure means of escaping poverty in the long run". Such comments were heard from a lot of young people who talked to this writer.

One thing is clear. The ODM manifesto sets no clear direction. But Kibaki's economic policies have been working. If it is working well - don't fix it! What Kenyan need is to stay the course and raise the bar - Get to the next level.

Rev. Nehemiah Nyatike