
Wananchi admire the custom-made bus - aptly named PENTAGON 1 - featuring an open top and branded with party colours, that ODM luminaries rode on into Uhuru Park. Although the government recently quietly imported a fleet of Mercedes Benz limousines that are intended for use next term by the president, the ODM are leading by example. The bus was fabricated at a local leading motor vehicle dealer, and was used for a road show in the early hours of Saturday.
The Thunder Rally - Uhuru Park 6th October 2007
The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and its presidential candidate made a solemn vow to give Kenyans real and complete change as the party officially a kicked off its presidential campaign.
In a memorandum read by William Ruto, in front of a crowd estimated at 400,000, four main issues would form the basis of an ODM administration:
a) Economic re-generation and reconstruction (not economic recovery)
It seems the current government is contented with a 6% annual economic recovery hence its campaign based on continuity.
The ODM has a sound plan towards achieving double digit annual growth. Massive resources will be injected into the development of infrastructure. Modern road and rail network, efficient port facilities, affordable low cost housing, reduced energy costs and cheap access to information are some of the areas that an ODM government will embark on immediately it assumes power.
b) Devolution and equitable distribution of national resources through the enactment of the Bomas Constitution Draft
Speaker after speaker at the rally talked of sustained marginalisation of certain areas in Kenya and a an unfair resource distribution over the last fourty years. The ODM recognises that only a devloved constitution will bring control of resources to the hands of the people. The proposed devolution of power is not aimed at disenfranchsing sections of the Kenyan society as one Daniel Arap Moi wants us to believe.
c) Zero tolerance to corruption
As has been said before, corruption robs the country of its enormous resources while choking its potential. Corruption is not only immoral, but is also the main cause of endemic poverty and gross inequality in Kenya. The ODM will simply not tolerate corruption in public offices. Anti corruption institutions will be strengthened and provided with necessary powers so as to effectively impede this vice.
d) Improvement of education and accelleration of fight against poverty.
The ODM will improve the provision of free basic education and extend the service to free secondary education. The ODM will promote Public/Private Sector Partnership (PPP) initiatives and private businesses will be supported through elimination of government bureaucracy and review of taxes. The ODM will set aside designated areas for hawkers and other small business.
The event was broadcast live by all major media houses in Kenya.
I just cannot wait for this government to take over.