- Wanjigi says Raila’s proposal is unfair for hardworking Kenyans who sweat to build the nation only for it to be allocated to non -working Kenyans.
- Insist that he will contest for an ODM presidential ticket even if he continues facing huddles in the hands of the party’s governing council.
ODM presidential hopeful Jimmy Wanjigi has dismissed a proposal made by Raila Odinga to give Sh 6,000 monthly stipend to jobless youths if he forms the next government.
Wanjigi said Raila’s plan is not economically viable for a debt ridden country like Kenya. Speaking at AIPCA Kutus, Kirinyaga County on Sunday, Raila said the country is already struggling to repay huge debts.
Wanjigi observed that the country would spend Sh 300 billion every year if it was to implement Raila’s proposal.
“In government books, they are saying we have 4 million unemployed youths, and if you give Sh 6,000 for each of these youths, it means you will spend 300 billion per year,” he said.
He termed it unpractical and unfair for hardworking Kenyans to sweat while building the nation only for it to be allocated to non -working Kenyans.
"Let the resources of hardworking Kenyans be channeled to national development programs other than the unemployed,” he said.
Wanjigi added that instead of promising money to those who are not working, Raila should push for full implementation of the national social security act that provides the framework for government to financially assist all unemployed Kenyans. He said despite being passed by Parliament in 2013, the government is yet to operationalise it.
Wanjigi insisted that he will vie for presidency and called for a fair party nomination process.
He said his plan is empowering ordinary Kenyans and would push the agenda all through his campaigns.
"My agenda is to empower Kenyans through showing them how to make money,” he said.
Wanjigi further took a swipe on ODM leader and other key national politicians for being in power for decades and failing to give Kenyans transformative leadership.
"The reason we are pegging our agendas on the 'Fagia Wote' slogan is because the leaders we have had have been tested for more than 30 years and have continuously failed. We therefore want to change the narrative and give Kenya a new face through its new crop of leaders,” he said.
Wanjigi added he will remain unbowed in his quest to vie for presidency in next year's polls.
He told off those urging him to go for Nairobi gubernatorial seat saying he will take none of their advices as that is attempting to scuttle his presidential bid.
"I'm stopping at nothing to see my dream materialize. Those attempting to saboteur my dream by suggesting that I should run for other elective positions should be advised that I'm focused on the presidency dream,” he added.
He said he will contest for an ODM ticket even if he continues undergoing through huddles in the hands of the party’s governing council.
Wanjigi challenged the council to embrace democracy and transparency while carrying out party's elections.
He criticized the manner in which some grassroots primaries have been carried out without fairness and without compliance to the party's constitution.
"We have written to the party fronting our complaints over how elections in some areas have been carried out. Some were done even at night,” he said.