- Mudavadi says three million Kenyans have been operating on the fringes of socio-economic and political life.
- Issues facing minority and marginalised groups have been captured in his manifesto on equity and inclusive agenda for Kenyans.
Image: TWITTER/MUSALIA MUDAVADI
ANC leader Musalia Mudavadi has told ethnic minorities and marginalised groups they will prominently feature in his government if he is elected President next year.
Mudavadi, who has maintained that his focus would be to resuscitate the economy, said issues facing the two groups have been captured in his manifesto on equity and inclusive agenda for Kenyans.
In a communication to National Minorities and Marginalised Communities Professionals Caucus, Mudavadi said three million Kenyans have been “operating on the fringes of our socio-economic and political life.”
In the letter titled, “My agenda for inclusivity and full recognition of the constitutional rights of ethnic minorities and marginalised groups”, the ANC leader assured the two groups that they will feature prominently in public appointments.
He promised that in the first year in office, he will respect and implement the requirement of Article 131 (2) (d) to promote respect for diversity of the people and communities in Kenya.
Mudavadi explained that he would achieve the goal through legislation and administrative action.
“I can confirm that as a country we have been extremely unfair to minority countrymen even as we publicly espouse the virtues of equity, fair administration of justice and inclusivity. It is embarrassingly obvious that many of us have been paying lip service to these lofty principles in our constitution,” he added.
He pointed out that Article 100 recognises the minority, persons with disabilities and marginalised communities and even youth and women as vulnerable groups that require state interventions.
“My research reveals that minority and marginalised groups are found in 29 counties, which is half of the country. But while we have done well with intervention targeted as economic and political affirmative action for the other vulnerable groups, minority and marginalised have been excluded,” he said.
Mudavadi said he would consider a plea to establish a commission that caters for the concerns of minorities.
“I assure all ethnic minorities and marginalised communities that your cry has been heard loudly and clearly. Please dry your tears. You should take comfort in realisation that you have a brother, friend and fellow citizen who not only sympathises with your plight, but will take appropriate action to fulfil the promise of the constitution,” he said.
Mudavadi added that the country has abrogated Article 56 that requires the leadership to take legislative and other measures among them the affirmative action and policies to redress any disadvantage suffered by minorities and marginalised groups because of past discrimination.
He regretted that despite an elaborate constitutional framework providing and conferring minority and marginalised communities' rights and freedoms in Article 56, their incorporation in mainstream activities is almost non existent.
Mudavadi added that he takes cognisance of Article 27 (6) that “The State shall not discriminate directly or indirectly against any person on any ground, including race, sex, pregnancy, marital status, health status, ethnic or social origin, colour , age, disability, religion, conscience, belief, culture, dress, language or birth”
-Edited by Skanyara