How Raila allies plan to rein in Ruto team

ODM leader Raila Odinga. [Jenipher Wachie, Standard] Opposition leader Raila Odinga will continue to keep Kenya Kwanza administration in check, riding on Kenyans' desire for greater economic freedom. In a year when it is hoped the excitement will end and reality hit the winners of the August poll, Raila's Azimio brigade plans to push the new administration, and begin to define the trajectory of 2027 politics. In his New Year message, Raila said "it is incumbent upon the nation to recalibrate" while decrying the difficult living conditions of 2022. He, however, expressed confidence that this year will be better. He underscored the difficult conversations Kenyans must have, under his stewardship as Opposition leader. "I also look forward to a robust conversation on ways on how to improve our constitution and governance institutions," he said. But it is the messaging from his troops that made clear what he meant. On Sunday, Ugunja MP and National Assembly Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi announced that Azimio intends to push for a clear road map for economic growth and interventions that will ensure sustainable well-being of the people. He said Kenyans had crossed to the new year with a sense of foreboding and were anxious, restless and uncertain about what the next day holds. "I wish to assure Kenyans that their uncertainties are of concern to Azimio. They will be at the core of our agenda in the Legislature in the New Year," Wandayi said. He added that they are concerned that many Kenyans are working hard yet they are stuck in extreme poverty and it is time for the country to have a national discussion aimed at reviewing the minimum wage. "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. Wandayi revealed that Azimio will also push for the cost of management of education claiming that there is a lack of clarity at the Ministry of Education. "Whether fees have gone up is unclear. The place of Competency Based Curriculum (CBC) graduates and what their exam means is not clear. Whether the government will continue funding public universities is not clear," he said. "With regard to school fees, we will follow up to ensure no child misses a place in high school, college or university because of school fees. High school education was also substantially subsidised in the last regime." On the same day, Ruto criticised subsidy programmes as politically contrived ideas to benefit a few individuals. Raila's side wants subsidies and plans to push the government to reinstate them. "We are going to demand the full reinstatement of the subsidy programmes. We are going to demand a review of the university students' loan regime to ensure it is in tune with the prevailing economic circumstances," Wandayi said. The coalition plans to capitalise on the disaffection of workers, specifically grievances of university lecturers and school teachers over salaries. "If there is merit in their quest for improved salaries, as we are inclined to believe, we will make their issues ours as well. Overall, we are going to take a very keen interest in matters pertaining to collective bargaining and minimum wage, not only among university lecturers and school teachers but among all people in employment," Wandayi said, and added that wages must be in tandem with the prevailing economic environment. "We want to ensure our collective bargaining laws are progressive and work as they're supposed to and that trade unions are empowered to organise and secure a good deal for workers."

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