Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga has called for solutions to issues affecting the county saying a lot of Kenyans have called on him to bring to an end acts that derail development.
During a consultative meeting in Homa Bay on Thursday, February 27, Mr Odinga said he has listened to Kenyans in his tours across the country following his loss at the African Union Commission chairperson bid and most of them are concerned about some of the issues that are bedevilling the country.
The former prime minister was earlier in the day at Migori for the same consultations and was in Siaya on Wednesday and Kisumu on Tuesday.
“As you know, we came from a very extensive campaign on the continent. We are back at home and people are very anxious to know our way forward,” Mr Odinga said.
According to the ODM leader, a lot of people who have engaged him claim the country is in a situation of conflict.
Among the issues he says need to be fixed urgently are those around governance, corruption, ethnic discrimination, failure of the universal health coverage plan, youth unemployment, and tribalism.
Mr Odinga said there is also an emergence of intolerance, where people are being denied rights to assembly and demonstrate.
“We have also seen people being abducted and confined for many days. We have also seen people being murdered or being killed. This is worrying and I have said that it must be brought to an end,” he said.
He also called for a resolution of issues bedevilling the Social Health Authority (SHA) as private and rural hospitals now reject the use of the national insurer over unpaid Sh30 billion and Kenyans complain every day of being turned away despite being up to date in their premium payments.
“Many patients are suffering because of SHA. This needs to be resolved so that people can get medical attention,” Mr Odinga said.
The former prime minister also called for increased resource allocation to counties saying devolution cannot work if governors get limited funds.
According to him, devolution has not helped Kenyans and the state should increase resource allocation to counties to 30 per cent, up from the constitutional provision of at least 15 per cent.
“There is nothing wrong with the Constitution's structure. We want to see more resources being devolved to counties and counties should deal with issues like healthcare infrastructure development,” Mr Odinga said.
During the meeting, some youths said they need to be empowered.
In response, Mr Odinga said the government should empower youths using technology.
He said the group should access the internet and use it to create wealth using artificial intelligence.
“We have got a very big percentage of this country and they can be a major blessing if they are properly empowered with requisite knowledge and skills so that they can be productive,” Mr Odinga said.
The consultations began following a meeting between Mr Odinga and President William Ruto this week at State House, Mombasa where they thanked Kenyans for the support during the AUC campaigns, but with analysts and close allies hinting that it could result in a more permanent relationship including more Cabinet Secretaries in the Kenya Kwanza government, as well as a possible merger between ODM and the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
