Azimio outlines its 2023 legislative agenda, vows to help Kenyans afford food

The Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition has vowed to push for well-thought-out interventions that will ensure long-term and sustainable upward economic mobility of Kenyans in 2023.

In a statement penned by National Assembly Minority Speaker Opiyo Wandayi on Saturday, Azimio noted that eight key concerns will be at the core of Azimio’s legislative agenda in 2023.

They are, helping families put food in their tables, cost management of education, workers' welfare, and a modern and professional public service.

Social protection, protection for farmers, electoral reforms, and a clear roadmap for economic mobility will also be high on Azimio’s agenda list as the coalition seeks to ensure accountability from President William Ruto’s administration.

“Kenyans cross 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. They will be at the core of our agenda in the Legislature in the New Year,” said Wandayi.

In terms of helping Kenyans put food on their tables, Azimio says it will push for a reversal of the changes the UDA government made in 2022 which resulted in a steep rise in the cost of basic commodities including petrol, diesel, paraffin, electricity and maize flour.

“These basic consumer items were subsidized 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. We believe that families and firms struggling to pay their bills need help and we will demand help on their behalf,” he said.

On matters of education, Wandayi noted that the place of CBC graduates and what their exam means is not clear and that Azimio will ensure that no children are sent home from school owing to unpaid school fees.

“High school education was also substantially subsidized in the last regime. The Ruto regime has removed the subsidy but insists that fees remain the same. We are going to demand the full reinstatement of the subsidy,” said Wandayi.

“We are going to demand a review of the university students’ loan regime to ensure it is in tune with the prevailing economic circumstances. President Ruto talks a lot about growing up in poverty. We believe he is only where he is because this country paid for his education. He is definitely a beneficiary of the government bursaries of his time and the government sponsorship through his entire university education. He must not deny other children that opportunity.”

In terms of pushing for workers welfare, Azimio plans 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.

“Wage must walk 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 organize and secure a good deal for workers. Too many Kenyans are working too hard yet they are stuck in extreme poverty. It is time for this country to have a national public discussion aimed at reviewing the minimum wage. Azimio is willing to lead this debate in 2023,” said the Minority Leader.

He also promised that Azimio will work round the clock to address issues of nepotism, tribalism and favoritism in the civil service.

“We are also going to force a relook into the welfare of civil servants including house allowances, affordable housing scheme to benefit civil servants, a review of salary and salary disparities in the civil service, a review of the hardship allowance and general welfare of civil servants particularly those at the lowest levels such as chiefs and their assistants,” he said.

Wandayi also called out President Ruto for abolishing the Inua Jamii Programme which saw the elderly receive Ksh.2,000 a month, meant for upkeep, from the previous administration.

“The regime also withdrew the Linda Mama program that covered maternity cost for mothers who could not afford it. We object to this. We will be demanding not just the reinstatement of these programs but also their expansion,” he said.

“We will demand that Pesa ya Wazee reaches ALL persons over 70 years and that it is increased from the current Ksh.2,000 to Ksh.4,000 per month, paid on timely and predictable basis. We will also demand that similar assistance is extended to widows, majority being poor, neglected and vulnerable."

He also stated that Azimio will work to ensure that the State does not import produce such as maize, rice and sugar when they are available locally while insisting that local farmers are missing out owing to the imports.

“The government will have to tell us how they intend to feed the country through imported produce while securing local producers at the same time. We are also going to demand sustainable policies for increasing the productivity of smallholder farmers,” he said.

He likewise castigated the IEBC while noting that Kenyans have lost faith in the electoral body and its ability to hold free, fair elections.

“The Afro Barometer Survey further showed that 31% of Kenyans do not trust the IEBC at all and 23% trusted it only a little; only 19% trust the IEBC a lot. Overall, according to the Gallup Poll, the percentage of Kenyans who have confidence in the integrity of elections declined from 58% in 2015 to only 35% in 2021," added Wandayi.

"This is the electoral body whose members President Ruto has presented to Kenyans as heroes. Reform is a must. And any attempt to unilaterally reconstitute the IEBC will be vigorously resisted by all patriotic forces.”