Kenyans at Kasarani Stadium, Nairobi, to mark the 54th Jamhuri Day.

The 54th Jamhuri Day celebrations at Kasarani Sports Centre was marked by empty seats as the event recorded low turnout yesterday.

The event, presided by President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto failed to kick off at the scheduled 10 am as organizers waited for more people to attend.

Unlike other celebrations where the stadium filled to the brim, Jamhuri Day in 2017 lacked the glamour of Kenyans celebrating. The recent inauguration of President Uhuru on November 28 in the same venue tells the difference in attendance of both functions

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As at 11:15am, the function had not begun. President Uhuru Kenyatta arrived at the stadium a few minutes to noon and empty seats could be seen even when the President arrived at the venue ​

The most notable figure, who had made his way to the Kasarani Stadium at the time, was Chief Justice David Maraga.

A top agenda expected to dominate President Kenyatta’s speech is integration among Kenyans, especially during this time, when Kenyans are divided along political and ethnic lines.

The celebrations happed the same day as the recently postponed swearing-in of Raila. Raila had vowed to assume office as the Peoples’ President but NASA informed supporters of the postponement on Sunday, December 10.

The state had invited National Super Alliance (NASA) leader Raila Odinga and other NASA principals and opposition leaders to the Jamhuri Day celebrations.

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Kenya’s supreme court judges.

Kenya’s Supreme Court has upheld the victory of President Uhuru Kenyatta in last month’s controversial presidential elections re-run, clearing the way for the 55-year-old leader to be sworn in for a second and final term next week.

Chief Justice Davi Maraga threw out the cases by three petitioners that sought to invalidate the results of the Oct. 26 election rerun, saying they were without merit.

The ruling could bring an end to months of instability after the August 8 presidential election was invalidated, but opposition protests immediately broke out in the deeply divided country.

The court shocked Kenya and much of the continent on Sept. 1 when it invalidated Kenyatta’s win on the grounds of irregularities, forcing the election to be re-held.

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NASA Opposition leaders Raila Odinga immediately rejected the decision, while government supporters celebrated outside the court in central Nairobi, and Kenyatta’s says government is illegitimate.

“It was a decision taken under duress. We do not condemn the court, we sympathize with it,” Odinga said.

A last-minute supreme court hearing on the eve of the re-run poll, of petitions challenging the legality of the second election, was scrapped when only two judges turned up, raising fears the bench may have been compromised. The bodyguard of the deputy chief justice was shot by unknown gunmen the night before.

Odinga, then withdrew from the second poll saying he believed it would be marred by the same flaws as the August vote.

Kenyatta won the second poll with 98% of the vote on a turnout of only 39%

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However, how many of these promises embeded in the manifestos are directed to the young children of the country? Kenya’s child population (0-14 year olds) is 43% of the total population; this is one of the largest demographics in the country. A large population of children (0-14) signifies high child dependency and the need to invest in child and maternal health as well as education opportunities. With this in mind it is therefore imperative to find out what the candidates have planned for the nation’s children.

Jubilee Manifesto                                                              

Jubilee Manifesto Launch

Jubilee’s vision is: A united Kenya in which wealth is created and prosperity is shared amongst all citizens; A fast-growing economy that leaves no one behind; A Kenya for all Kenyans by Kenyans; An accountable, professional and efficient government; and An influential regional power at peace with itself and its neighbours.

“Kenya has immense potential for growth, modernisation and prosperity. Growth that leaves no one behind; modernisation that secures our future for generations to come; and a prosperity that we can all share and enjoy” President Uhuru Kenyata’s address at the Manifesto launch

The manifesto noted ten points the party will work on. Out of these the promises concerning Early Childhood Development are point four and six which state:

• Expand the free primary school programme to now include free day public secondary schools in Kenya.
• Expand free maternity care to include government funded NHIF cover for every expectant mother for one year.

In the small print the manifesto further notes that it would:

Extend the “Linda Mama” programmes to a total of one year to cover both ante-natal and post-natal care and reduce maternal and child mortality rates.

Work towards achieving a 100% transition from primary to secondary school by providing free education in all public primary and public day secondary schools.

Maintain momentum in upgrading slums by providing clean water and sanitation, access roads, street lights, schools and health centres as well as income generating activities. This will help improve the lives of 4 million people living and working in slums.

Find the full manifesto here jpmanifesto2017

NASA Manifesto

NASA Manifesto Launch

NASA fronted a seven pillar vision and policy platform which the manifesto then translates into a programme of action. The vision and policy platform address:

• National reconciliation and healing
• Resolving all historical injustices
• Refining the constitution to strengthen devolution
• Transforming government from master to servant of the people
• Realizing the equality principles and goals entrenched in Article 27 of the Constitution
• Realizing social and economic rights as enshrined in Article 43 of the Constitution
• Eradicating poverty and unemployment

“…the manifesto is decidedly ideological and bold, at once pragmatic, alive to challenges of implementing social transformation, but uncompromising on principles and values. It is a manifesto for fundamental change”

Concerning early childhood development the manifesto includes:

Mainstreaming constitutional education in the school curriculum.

Progressively expanding income transfer programmes (presently limited to the elderly and households with orphans and vulnerable children (OVC)) to the critically food poor.

Establishing a National Universal Health Service Fund to be funded by the public budget for curative heath services and a minimal basic health insuarance contribution by citizens.

Delegating school infrastructure to the Counties- giving conditional grants.

Arresting high school dropout rate; expanding secondary school infrastructure; and expanding teacher training capacity hence making the primary school examinations (KPCE) redundant since every child will be assured a place.

Find the full manifesto here Nasa-Coalition-Manifesto

All in all

Although a discussion could be held on who represents the children’s issues best, these two powerhouses did not ignore the 43 per cent but included them in their manifestos and made commitments to the children of Kenya. Whichever of these parties does take the election, we will be watching and lobbying for these implementations.

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