Raila Pledges to Make Kenya a Different Country in Five Years if Elected President

ODM leader Raila Odinga says he has the experience required to move the country forward and compete with developed nations.

Speaking during his 77th birthday celebration at Bomas of Kenya on Friday, Odinga said he has visited or lived in developed countries where he had the opportunity to witness firsthand how efficient governments work.

Raila pledged to replicate the same in Kenya if elected president this year, saying it is possible to better the country’s economy provided there is a change to the mindset of the country’s leadership.

“We can transform and make this country an industrialized country. I know it, I lived in Germany for many years. Germany was destroyed during the world war, and within 15 years they had constructed their economy and it was stronger than the victor powers’ economies.  If you went to Germany and Britain, you would think Britain lost the war and Germany won,” Raila explained.

“It is possible to change, but we must change the way we do things; we must change how we approach the development of a country. China was able to move 300 million people from poverty to middle income status, China now has the biggest middle income in the whole world….over 300 billionaires in 30 years’ time. Ata hapa tunaweza.”

Raila, who serves as the African Union High Representative for Infrastructure Development, said Kenya will be a different country in five years’ time if he takes over from President Kenyatta.

“That is why I want to work with the youth of this country. Wherever you guys go, go with a message; that August 9th this year is a day for transformation of this country, on that day we lay the foundation for transformation.”

Odinga stated that the blueprint for the country’s development was crafted under the Vision 2030 banner during the coalition government in which he served as the Prime Minister.

“Kenya is strategically situated on the Eastern Coast of Africa, there are so many countries in our hinterland. We’ve got a big market that we can supply with goods manufactured in Kenya,” he added.