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As part of the forum “Sojourn from Africa to America…A Journey to Understanding” Kenyan presidential candidate Raila Odinga spoke to members of the DU community last week, outlining his plan for Kenya’s future.
The event, which was put on by GSIS was geared toward developing a greater understanding of Kenya in hopes of strengthening the country’s relationship with the United States Odinga is currently a member of parliament in Kenya and is running for president on the Orange Democratic Party ticket in the December elections. His promise is to be “the bridge to the Kenyan dream.”
“The Kenyan dream is a democratic, independent, free, and prosperous nation,” said Odinga.
His top priorities include developing Kenya’s economy and reforming the education and health care systems. A former political prisoner, Odinga also spoke of his goal to eradicate corruption and political oppression.
He blamed Kenya’s poor economic state on its failure to invest in human capital, as well as a lack of infrastructure and modern technology. Odinga believes solving these problems is essential to make Kenya part of the global economy and trade network.
“We want to make attractive conditions so we can maximize use of what we already have in the country,” said Odinga. “We are not asking so much for assistance or aid. We are asking to be allowed to trade, markets to be open, and to use them.”
Reforming education and health care are also on the forefront of the presidential candidate’s political agenda. The quality of education is being compromised at the expense of quantity said Odinga. He supports reducing the student teacher ratio in Kenyan schools. His plan to improve health care includes implementing a system similar to Medicare which will give Kenyans access to the medical care they need.
“Now people are arrested and detained because they can’t pay,” said Odinga.
Repeatedly jailed without trail during his fight to end one-party rule in Kenya, Odinga experienced first hand the corruption which he is fighting to abolish. He served eight and a half years in prison and believes corruption has hindered Kenya’s ability to reach its full potential by making it unattractive to foreign investors.
“We want to deal with the issue of corruption, start at the top and work our way down,” said Odinga.
Odinga’s tour of the United States to discuss his goals for the nation and promote building an economic relationship between Kenya and the U.S. also included stops in Texas and New York. Around 70 people attended the event at DU.
