The bottom-up economic model proposed by the United Democratic Alliance will narrow the gap between the rich and the poor, Deputy President William Ruto has said.
Ruto said the model will be a game-changer as it will lift the weak and walk with them. He spoke at a church service in Langata constituency.
“That is why there is a huge debate in the country about the bottom-up economic model,” he said.
He added, “You may be asking yourself, what is this bottom-up? Where does it start? It is troubling very many people. People are very confused with this bottom-up but to explain to them- it is about remembering the weak.”
Ruto, who is keen to succeed President Uhuru Kenyatta in the August 9, next year's presidential race noted that the model is about empowering the lowly.
He dismissed his competitors who have criticised the model as not a solution to the economic woes facing the country.
“The bible says God will uplift the weak and make them sit with the kings. If anybody is looking for an explanation on the bottom up, let them go and read Plsams 113:7 to 8. It is God who lifts the weak from the dust and it is God who seats the poor on the same table with Kings and princes. That is the lifting of everybody so that together be in a nation where nobody is left behind. That is what we are looking for, what we say and what we want,” he said.
The DP spoke as politicians and professionals from Nyanza finalised the region’s economic blueprint which will be incorporated into his manifesto.
The Luo-Nyanza Economic Caucus met over the weekend in Nairobi and approve development issues which will now be subjected to the residents of the region to give their input.
“Today (Saturday), the Luo-Nyanza Economic Caucus (LNEC) Technical Working Team has undertaken an internal validation of the Luo-Nyanza Economic Blueprint. This now paves the way for external stakeholder sensitization, engagement and subsequent validation,” a statement issued by the head of the caucus Eliud Owalo stated.
The validation will take place in Kisumu, Migori, Homa Bay and Siaya beginning this week.
Among the issues the Nyanza team has proposed to be included in the Ruto’s “hustler movement” manifesto to be unveiled in December include the revival of the sugar industry in the region and full exploitation of the fishing and rice sectors.
They have also proposed the Ahero irrigation scheme to be optimised as part of the Blue Economy and the rejuvenation of the cotton sector.
Other things they want to be prioritised include promotion of entrepreneurship, infrastructure (roads, water, sanitation, electricity, airstrips), tourism, education, upgrading and modernisation of the health facilities and value-addition.
They also cited industrialisation based on the region's raw materials potential and the mining of gold in Migori and iron ore in Homa Bay as well as improving agricultural production, including the underexploited potential in tobacco, avocado, mango, sorghum among others.
The technical team that met in Nairobi included former East Africa Portland Cement and Muhoroni Sugar managing director John Nyambok, former Kenya Commercial Bank Head of SMEs Chris Migunde, former NSSF Managing Trustee Tom Odongo, former Serena Group of Hotels financial director Charles Ogada, educationist Elga Riaga, university dons David Okelo, and Geoffrey Muga.
Also present were lawyers Duncan Ojwang and Amos Omolo, mining expert Nashon Adera, jua kali sector specialist Richard Opar and strategist Joseph Owino.