One can say the world has seen its fair share of manifestos going back to 1620, when the phenomenon first took hold.
A manifesto in the political context is simply a declaration, usually by a party, about what it intends to do in office, if it forms government.
Azimio presidential candidate Raila Odinga unveiled his comprehensive manifesto on Monday, outlining 10 agenda items. They include allocating more resources to the counties, stimulating indigenous manufacturing, transforming agriculture and healthcare, fighting graft and providing access to safe drinking water to households.
"We intend to achieve objectives outlined in our manifesto by ensuring the economy is re-engineered for wealth creation through manufacturing, addressing people's welfare through social protection and environmental conservation," Raila said.
A lot will be said and dissected in the days to come about the contents of the manifesto. Raila and his team will make the case why the manifesto is the answer to the country’s woes, while his opponents will try and discredit or speak ill of it, hoping voters bite as many have bitten falsehoods they have previously peddled.
There is only one slight problem these opponents will run into, and it is an insurmountable problem that is comprised of several parts rolled up into an immovable huge bolder blocking the State House get they dream to enter.
And if somehow they miraculously find a way to move the huge bolder and drive into State House grounds, they will find the door locked with Raila and company inside.
They can only enter with Raila’s permission and even though doubtful he would let them in, they can at least plead their case as to why he should and being the forgiving and seasoned leader he is, he may though unlikely.
The huge boulder at the State House gate blocking their way and the locked door are just the last parts of the collective obstacles Ruto faces as he tries to mount a counter to what Azimio has done to him – reducing him to a regional candidate.
Ruto may try to gain traction by attacking or trying to belittle or discredit Azimio’s manifesto but that would be ill-advised and his advisers will tell him so.
Rather, expect Ruto to parrot what is in Azimio’s manifesto because it is so well-thought and spelled out no serious person can find fault or anything to disagree or sensibly criticize.
Parroting is natural in Ruto: They watch Raila’s every move and either do the same thing or try and heal the uppercuts caused by his campaign.
The manifesto launch is an example of such an uppercut, which may prove to be one that completely knocks off Ruto from the ring.
Why? When Raila launched the manifesto, he said it was put together through a consultative process that involved the grassroots.
In other words, it reflects not only Raila and running mate Narc- Kenya leader Martha Karua’s vision, but also a reflection of the aspirations of Kenyans, from the street hawkers, university graduates to those struggling in their various states of the hard life in the country, despite the potential to do better.
The manifesto represents the changes people have demanded must happen in the next government and enough of empty promises.
Raila delivered as prime minister and is part of the reason the Kibaki government gets credit for what it did. Raila did this with one hand tied in the back.
This time around, his hands will be free as president and with Karua on his side, the duo will deliver on the promises in the manifesto like no one has before.
