Raila Odinga addressed a number of key issues ahead of the August 8 polls when he had the debate platform to himself on Monday night.
President Uhuru Kenyatta failed to show up for the live debate, giving room for the NASA flag bearer to address voters on his top priorities if he takes office.
While many were disappointed by Uhuru's no-show, Raila engaged the audience and responded to questions on topics including unemployment, security and housing.
CORRUPTION SCANDALS
Raila said he would have 'Maghufulid' former Devolution CS Anne Waiguru over the Sh1.7 billion NYS scandal.
"If I were the president would have taken action against Anne Waiguru Maghufuli style."
Waiguru is currently the Jubilee candidate for the Kirinyaga governor seat.
In February last year, she was cleared by EACC of involvement in the scandal but has appeared before PAC to respond to queries around it.
She resigned from the ministry in November 2015 following the allegations.
NASA presidential candidate Raila Odinga, escorted by his granddaughter, arrives for a Presidential Debate in Nairobi ahead of the general election, July 24, 2017. /REUTERS
'PLAYING POLITICS' WITH LAMU ATTACKS
Raila asked the government to stop playing politics with the Lamu attacks that have lead to more than five deaths in a month.
"It is unfortunate that the President should play internal politics...look at the attacks in Lamu and Garissa, we see the unpreparedness of our security forces."
He said troops should be withdrawn from Somalia and taken to the Kenyan borders to provide security to the people.
"We need to withdraw troops strategic from Somalia to our borders and increase our intelligence," he added.
Lamu has experienced increased attacks by the Somali militant group over the last month.
On July 5, the militants engaged in a day-long battle with Kenyan security forces in Boni forest.
A day later, the terrorists abducted Public Works PS Mariam El Maawy and five others at Milihoi area on Lamu-Mpeketoni highway at about 3pm. They were driven into Boni Forest.
Uhuru condemned the attack saying the government will not tolerate them.
Read: Uhuru breathes fire in Lamu, says state will finish al Shabaab
TALLYING CENTRE IN TANZANIA
The Opposition chief dismissed claims that the National Super Alliance tallying centre is in Tanzania.
He said it beats logic for his competitors to be worried about the location of the centre which only concerns NASA.
"Some things exist in people's minds. Why should we have a tallying centre in Tanzania? Why should someone worry about where the tallying centre will be?" Raila asked
"We have made it clear that we will tally. Why should some people get worried about where the tallying will be. It can be in Germany or the moon. But it will be in Kenya and the clouds," he added amid laughter.
Tanzania has also distanced itself from the allegations, saying it does not favour any of the presidential candidates.
More on this: NASA tallying centre not in Tanzania, says Raila
Also read: Tanzania denies reports of NASA tallying centre in Kigamboni
FAMILY-DOMINATED POLITICS
The NASA presidential flag bearer dismissed the notion that the country is politically held hostage by two families.
He said it was wrong for Kenyans to propagate that Uhuru and himself enjoy the trappings of dynasties, but noted that their families "sacrificed for the freedom of the country".
"While Uhuru was invited into politics by his mentor, I came into it alone. It was not through the invitation of my father but out of conviction."
Oginga was Kenya's first Vice President in Jomo Kenyatta's administration after the country attained independence.
Uhuru, on the other hand, is the son of Kenya's founding father who worked with Oginga Odinga after the British colonial era.
The two families have remained dominant in the Kenyan political scenes over the years with the competition for the presidency centred around them.
More on this: Presidential Debate: Kenyatta, Odinga families not holding Kenya hostage - Raila
GIVING NAMES TO OPPONENTS 'A JOKE'
When asked what he meant by saying that Uhuru was a drunkard and DP William Ruto was a thief, Raila said the names they call each other were not taken seriously and termed them jokes.
"If I called Uhuru a drunkard then it was in a light touch ... it doesn’t mean he is drunk. They are political jokes," he said.
"In politics you must have jokes. When Uhuru says I am mad man, I don't think he means I am 'mad'."
The politicians have been using names on each other during the campaigns.
Uhuru calls Raila Mad man while Ruto calls him "Ule jamaa wa vitendawili". Raila calls Uhuru drunkard and Ruto a thief.
NASA presidential candidate Raila Odinga speaks to the media as he arrives for a Presidential Debate in Nairobi ahead of the general election on August 8, July 24, 2017. /REUTERS
REDUCE RENT, FOOD PRICES
Asked about his pledge to reduce rent, Raila said the promise was premised on implementation of the Rent Restrictions Act, saying it had been ignored giving landlords the freedom to raise rent rates arbitrarily.
“We are going to enforce the Rent Restriction Act to protect the poor from exploitation by the landlords,” he said.
Raila said the issue was part of conversations he has had with landlords and those with temporary ownership of the land on which they have put up structures.
He suggested that he would target rent for those in low-cost housing and slums adding that when elected he will make sure the food prices are lowered.
"First is the issue of putting food on the table, reducing the cost of living for the people. This is our priority number one. We address the issues of flour, so that we can lower the prices of maize flour, sugar," he said.
Read: GOK's Sh90 unga hits supermarkets but buyers limited to two packs
SOCIAL MEDIA GAG DURING POLLS
The Opposition leader said the Internet should not be shut down during the elections as it restricts freedom of expression.
According to him, Kenyans should be allowed to debate freely on social media platforms, saying that will amount to suppressing their constitutional rights.
"Social media is a free platform and I don't want to interfere in freedom of expression. I see [NCIC chair Francis] Kaparo saying how he wants to stop people from expressing themselves," he said. "I hope its not an excuse to shut off the Internet."
Read: We are coming for you, Kaparo tells WhatsApp admins over hate messages
NO REGRETS ON KAJIADO REMARKS
Raila also said he is not apologetic of remarks from a rally in Kajiado since he only meant there is need to empower “each and every Kenyan. And their rights should be protected”.
“I don’t regret any word that I uttered on that day … I meant every word I uttered,” Raila said.
He said he was addressing the “issue of poverty of the people in that area".
During a campaign rally in Kajiado last Month, Raila said that should he win the elections, his administration will empower the community to stop them from selling their land.
But Jubilee leaders contend that the remarks incited the Masaai community against people who have bought land in Kajiado County.
ELECTION CONCERNS
Raila said Kenyans have a right to vote wherever they registered and that they should not be intimidated by claims that they will be violence.
"Some people want to scare Kenyans with others saying that there would be violence. I have urged our supporters to stay put," he said.
Raila assured Kenyans that there would be no violence after or during the elections period.
"There would be no violence so long as the elections will be free and fair," he said.
CONSTANT CRITICISM OF STATE INSTITUTIONS
The NASA flag beaerer said his constant attacks on government institutions are constructive criticism, and that the removal of the Issack Hassan team from the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission was an example.
Raila blamed the agency for sabotaging its bid for a national referendum, which according to him was knocked out on technicalities at the time.
According to Ipsos, Uhuru and Raila are likely to take about 90 per cent of the vote, while none of other six independent presidential candidates is polling above one per cent.
Opinion polls show the gap between Raila and Uhuru has closed.
Jubilee Party has also promised to provide free, quality primary healthcare for all Kenyans; free secondary education; affordable housing and connect every citizen to the electricity grid by 2020.
National Super Alliance has also promised to reform the public sector, set up a universal health service fund and tackle corruption.
Source
No comments:
Post a Comment