UDFP resolute on solving Kenya's economic challenges

The United Democratic Forum Party (UDFP), a new political outfit comprising of youthful MPs campaigning under the platform of reforms and untainted leadership ended a three day retreat on Sunday resolving to address challenges facing the country.

The group comprising assistant ministers Kabando wa Kabando, Nderitu Muriithi, Katoo ole Metito and MPs Abdikadir Mohamed, Maison Lechoomo and George Nyamweya converged in Nanyuki for the bonding and planning session.

Other MPs in the forum are Joseph Lekuton, Jeremiah Kioni, Ali Chiaba and Njoroge Baiya.

The group, which started as a professionals' forum before transforming into a political party, targets to ascend to the country’s leadership and focus on providing solutions to problems facing the country.

“Unlike other parties we don’t want just talk of problems facing the country but propose solutions on how to execute them. We don’t want to just say we will end poverty or corruption. We want to go above mere rhetoric and look at all sectors of economy,” Mr Mohamed told the Nation.

Mr Abdikadir said his team, which comprises members from various political parties, will arrive at specific executable measures to address challenges facing the country.

As a first step, he said, the team that has 40 MPs in its ranks has agreed to rally behind issues of national interest in Parliament irrespective of party, tribal or regional or political lines.

“It is about being among those who are on right side of history or those who are not. We have been firm on ethics and anti-corruption issues,” Mr Abdikadir said adding that UDF allied MPs will work as a team during the life of the Tenth Parliament and “show leadership.”

Mr Abdikadir who is the Mandera Central MP added: “You cannot do the same thing the same way and expect different results. We should see whether it is possible to change discourse. When it comes to politics, for instance, we should avoid clannism and seeking power without vision.”

Mr Abdikadir said leaders should stop discussing who to cooperate with to win elections and instead dwell on issues and have serious debate on solutions to problems facing the country.

“Basic rights leadership not brinkmanship is what we need,” Mr Kabando, who is also Mukurweini MP, said.

Mr Kabando said Kenyans should not expect a new Kenya "if we continue to tolerate the same old politics of patronage and voter bribery."

"Its a great new start that we promulgated the new law. But did we simultaneously promulgate a new politics that shuns bribes for votes, tolerates graft as long as its done by homeboys, and unconscious masses ready to die for merchants of impunity. We need to break the mould. Its costly but necessary effort," Mr Kabando who was supported by Mr Metito said.

Mr Kabando said Kenyans should remember that having a new constitution is not enough.

"The Third Reich had a good law but that didn't stop Hitler from coming to power. Leadership ethics needs to be anchored by good leadership practice," Mr Kabando said.

Industrialisation assistant minister Nderitu Muriithi said the UDF parliamentary group/National Executive Council retreat that ended on Sunday focused on how to improve the country.

“We are looking at things facing the country and how to transform our country to be better going forward,” Mr Muriithi who is also Laikipia West MP said.

Mr Muriithi said UDF’s recruitment was ongoing and that the party already has more than 100,000 members and that it would conduct democratic primaries to elect its torchbearer in coming elections.

Mr Muriithi and Mr Kabando said UDF wants to transform Kenya to a modern economy based on manufacturing and create jobs on sustainable manner.

On corruption, Mr Muriithi: “We don’t just want zero tolerance but no corruption at all. We cannot continue to lose Sh300 billion to graft.”

UDF, Mr Muriithi and Mr Kabando added, further wants to improve governance in the country.

Eighteen MPs who attended the retreat in Nanyuki also pushed for measures to lock out tainted, corrupt and tribal leaders from ascending to the country’s leadership.

Although the group is yet to agree on who will be its flag-bearer, some members are vouching for Mr Abdikadir due to his demonstrated leadership of the constitution review process.

Mr Abdikadir was chairman of parliamentary select committee on Justice and Legal Affairs and now chairs the Constitution Implementation Oversight Committee.

He has however not responded to suggestions to vie for the presidency.

He said: “We have an opportunity to bring in drivers of new policies. And towards the end of the year, we have a chance to overhaul the executive and legislature as well.’’.

Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta had previously been widely believed to be the one poised to become UDF flag bearer.

Uhuru has however resolved to retreat back to Kanu which he chairs and on Friday he said his party supports the PNU Alliance which hopes to field a single presidential candidate.