Kenyan former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, has unveiled a plan he believes can make Kenya Africa’s leading financial, logistics, shipping, and aviation hub as well as headquarters for global business, manufacturing, and diplomacy.
According to mwakilishi.com, ODM leader says to achieve these, the country needs a firm foundation for the rule of law and zero tolerance for corruption and complacency.
In the document titled “Kenya Going Forward, What Raila Believes,” Odinga noted that while we invest in prolonged stability of the nation, we must do more to promote social cohesion out of our ethnic and religious diversity.
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“We must ensure a fair, efficient, and transparent Judiciary. Investors and citizens need assurance that when disputes arise, there will be a Judiciary that will deliver fast, fair, and transparent justice,” Odinga stated.
The former Prime Minister further highlighted the need for massive investment in manpower development through universal access to a top-flight public education system.
“Trained manpower is the single most important factor determining whether we are competitive or not…Once we train our youth we must ensure they are hired purely on a merit basis,” he noted.
He also emphasized the need to pursue a low and transparent tax regime supported by efficient and clean public service running on a strong regulatory and legal framework.
Massive investments in air, maritime, rail, and road transportation will position Kenya as a natural hub for multinational business in Africa, Odinga added.
“We should invest in higher value-added industries and strong productivity instead of just consumption. We must invest in food security and an efficient public primary healthcare system,” he stated.
Raila pointed out that we must also promote finance innovativeness, entrepreneurship, teamwork, and work ethic, and enhance ongoing social protection measures with subsistence allowance for urban and rural poor.
“Kenyans work hard. Hard work must be made to pay…Upward social mobility comes for all. I believe it’s possible,” he concluded.
