KENYA: President Mwai Kibaki seeks second term, launches party manifesto

Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki tried to give his chances of winning Kenya's December election a shot in the arm over the weekend by pledged a host of development measures at a major campaign rally in Nairobi. Kibaki, 75, launched a 10-point manifesto for his Party of National Unity (PNU) coalition that looked to win more support from women and youth voters. "Today, we are setting a bold platform as the Party of National Unity that will change the life of every Kenyan. We are mapping out a bright future for this great nation that is real tangible and achievable," Kibaki told his supporters. Building on a platform of free primary and secondary education his government has already established, he promised free healthcare for children under five and pledged to double investment to rebuild Kenya's shattered roads. He also promised to help the informal labour sector grow. Facing a challenge from opposition critic Raila Odinga that has analysts predicting the closest race ever in Kenya's post-colonial history, Kibaki has honed his message to point out his achievements versus the promises of his rivals. "I believe the Manifesto we are launching today contains the most comprehensive and inclusive vision for making Kenya a stronger and more accountable democracy with a stronger and more equitable economy that is built on a more cohesive and just society." Critics say that though Kibaki has turned Kenya's economy -- east Africa's biggest -- around from negative growth to a forecast of about 7 percent in 2007, he has not fulfilled pledges to cut corruption and rein in rampant violent crime. About 14 million Kenyans are registered to vote in polls on Dec. 27. The latest national opinion poll on Friday showed Kibaki closing on Odinga, with the support of 41 percent of voters compared to Odinga's 45 percent. Kibaki, speaking to a thousands in Nairobi's Kenyatta International Conference Centre, promised that women would have 30 percent or more of all public appointments and elective positions, and would receive free maternity care. "I came here today to listen to President Kibaki's manifesto for the PNU. I am happy to hear that he cares about women. Hospital maternity will be free and now the children will have free education up to form four," said Tabitha Kimani. He also aimed several of the newer pledges at the youth vote -- especially one to create technical training schools for the youth in each constituency. "I came to listen to speeches by the ministers and Honourable Kibaki. When he comes into power again I would like him to concentrate on the youth who are often harassed by the police. He should look into a lot of issues," said Samson Waweru. Aiming to get half of Kenya's substantial informal labour force into the formal sector, Kibaki said his government would establish space for street hawkers and jua kali workers -- informal craftsmen who work on the roadside -- in every town. Kibaki's campaign has moved swiftly to exploit the opposition's promise of federalism, which polls show is not favoured by a majority of Kenyans on the grounds it might promote ethnic animosity. Odinga's Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has argued that federalism -- known in Kiswahili as majimbo -- would ensure a fairer distribution of national resources. Kibaki's defenders say his government has done just that, via the creation of constituency development funds (CDF) where decisions are made at the local level. Across many Kibaki-allied constituencies, bright yellow and red signs touting the CDF projects have sprung up in recent months, announcing new health care centres, wells, livestock projects and other civic work.

ITN Source | November 13, 2007

Tags:. .predicting. .oppositions. .mapping. .formal. .achievements