ODM manifesto and Raila have great potential -

http://www.eastandard.net/news/?id=1143979164&cid=159

Published on December 20, 2007, 12:00 am

*By Jerry Okungu*

With just a week to the General Election, Kenyans must revisit manifestos of political parties http://www.eastandard.net/news/?id=1143979165# and decide who, among the three top contenders, offers the best hope.

The best party to bank on is Raila Odinga's ODM. I want Raila to win because even though he is originally from Nyanza, his roots are in Nairobi where he has been elected three times in Lang'ata constituency. All other presidential candidates http://www.eastandard.net/news/?id=1143979165# do not understand the complex nature of urban politics. Having represented Lang'ata, I believe Kenyan communities trust him.

Of all the presidential candidates, Raila is the least ethnic minded and least revengeful. He is therefore capable of uniting Kenyans and bringing about real healing.

This is the reason William Ruto, Joe Nyagah, Musalia Mudavadi, Najib Balala and Charity Ngilu have faith in him. Because he has suffered, he values peace. Evidence of this character can be found in his ability to forgive Moi, work with Moi and defend Moi when the Narc government was bent on hounding the former President.

Despite differences with Mwai

Kibaki http://www.eastandard.net/news/?id=1143979165# after the 1997 elections, he still declared Kibaki Tosha. In 2002, he campaigned for Kibaki while the latter was incapacitated. Kenyans will be better off with a leader who thinks beyond his tribe.

Raila is known for his resolve and decisiveness. He can make painful decisions when the occasion demands because he has high regard for the rule of law. This was the reason he embarked on the demolition of structures that the past regime had allowed to mushroom on road reserves.

Because of his resolve, he will deal firmly with insecurity issues in Mt Elgon, Kuresoi and Molo.

Raila has retained the dream and resolve to turn Kenya http://www.eastandard.net/news/?id=1143979165# into a modern industrial nation. He knows the value a working infrastructure as a major incentive to investors. Right now our railways, roads and water transport systems are in a sorry state.

No sensible industrialist would invest where there is no efficient and working infrastructure. As it is, thousands of precious lives are lost on our roads daily due to avoidable accidents or just inability of the medical services to access our rural populations.

Building power infrastructure, which Raila's manifesto promises will reduce deforestation by 70 per cent if every home can access electricity. Readily available electricity will eliminate demand for firewood and charcoal that are major causes of deforestation. Expanding an oil pipeline to the borders with our landlocked neighbours will remove deadly oil tankers from our roads.

Raila knows that building a dual carriageway between Mombasa, Busia and Malaba, Nairobi and Nanyuki, Embu, Meru, Isiolo, Marsabit and Wajir will reduce travel time between major cities. Construction industry will create thousands of jobs. Road accidents will be reduced drastically. A working and efficient railway system complete with safe navigation on Lake Victoria will eliminate large tracks from our roads and make road travel much safer.

Raila has promised Kenyans a new constitution in six months that will devolve the government and demystify the presidency. Once the constitution devalues the presidency by taking most of its powers to the regions, tribalism with its attendant official corruption will have be eradicated.

If the devolution that Raila proposes takes 60 per cent of revenue to the regions, no area will ever claim to be marginalised.

This is the leader Kenyans have been waiting for. *The writer is ODM communications adviser.*

-- Joram Ragem

wuod Ndinya, wuod Onam, wuod Amolo, wuod Owuoth, wuod Oganyo, wuod Mumbe, wuod Odongo, wuod Olwande, wuod Adhaya, wuod Ojuodhi, woud Ragem! ( Are you my relative?)

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