- He said they believe that families and firms struggling to pay their bills need help and we will demand help on their behalf.
- The MP said they also intend to push for well-thought-out intervention that will ensure long-term and sustainable upward economic mobility of the people of Kenya.
Image: FAITH MATETE
The Azimio coalition has announced a raft of issues they will be pushing the President William Ruto-led administration to address in 2023.
The seven issues include the high cost of living and helping families put food on the table, electoral reforms and a clear road map for upward economic mobility, cost of management of education amongst others.
National Assembly Minority leader Opiyo Wandayi said Kenyans are crossing into the new year with a sense of foreboding.
"Our people are anxious, restless and uncertain about what the next day holds. I wish to assure Kenyans that their uncertainties are of concern to Azimio," Wandayi said.
"They will be at the core of our agenda in the Legislature in the New Year."
He said Azimio will be pushing for the reversal of the changes the UDA government made in 2022 which resulted in a steep rise in the cost of basic commodities.
These basic consumer items were subsidised under the previous administration.
"We have noticed that the Kenya Kwanza administration loathes subsidies. Whatever they choose to call it, the Ruto administration will have to cushion Kenyans against the ravages of a melting economy," he said.
He said they believe that families and firms struggling to pay their bills need help and we will demand help on their behalf.
The MP said they also intend to push for well-thought-out intervention that will ensure long-term and sustainable upward economic mobility of the people of Kenya.
Wandayi said they are concerned that too many Kenyans are stuck at the bottom.
"Too many feel the odds are against them and that however hard they try, nothing works. Too many Kenyans are being left to the mercy of relatives and neighbours while the government shuns responsibility," he said.
"During the campaigns, President William Ruto said this will be Kenya’s economic moment. We want that economic moment, and we want it now."
On modern and professional public service, Wandayi said they are going to demand fair, equitable and merit-based appointments and promotions in the public service.
"This nation will begin to fail when we begin to interfere with the civil service as we are beginning to witness," he said.
Wandayi said they envisage a civil service defined by discipline, hard work, high morale, efficiency, and high ethical standards.
"We are going to demand fair, equitable and merit-based appointments and promotions in the public service. No public officer should be sacked or denied promotion just because served in the previous administration," he said.
He said they must urgently address issues of nepotism, tribalism and favouritism in the civil service before this regime makes them the new normal.
"We need to design and adhere to a clear career progression path for civil servants that stands no matter which party or leader takes power in Kenya," Wandayi said.
Appointments and promotions in public service, he said must be based on merit, reflect the face of the nation and observe gender rules.
Women, in particular, he said must be allowed to more fairly and fully participate in public service.
He said they will also be demanding answers on those who have been hired and sacked since this administration took over.
"We are also going to force a relook into the welfare of civil servants particularly those at the lowest levels such as chiefs and their assistants," he said.
"This also includes house allowances, an affordable housing scheme, a review of salary and salary disparities and a review of the hardship allowance."
On electoral reforms, Wandayi said any attempt to unilaterally reconstitute the IEBC will be resisted by all patriotic forces.