NASA manifesto is underwhelming – Senator Murkomen

Elgeyo Marakwet Senator, Kipchumba Murkomen, has termed the opposition National Super Alliance manifesto as ‘underwhelming’ adding that most of its provisions are inconsistent with the Constitution of Kenya 2010.

Speaking on Citizen TV’s The Big Question show on Tuesday, June 27, the Legislator dismissed the opposition’s manifesto as ‘being too general and not delving into specifics’.

“The NASA manifesto is too general in comparison to Jubilee’s manifesto, for example, Jubilee promised to stem the unga shortage by building dams across the country in an effort to find a long term solution to the crisis, Jubilee has promised to reduce the price of fertilizer from Ksh 1,800 to Ksh 1,200, Jubilee’s manifesto highlights its plan to include other foodstuffs in the strategic food reserve but looking at the NASA manifesto it lacks specific pledges to the Kenyan people,” said Murkomen.

But in a quick rejoinder, Homa Bay Senator Moses Kajwang said that NASA has packaged their document to address the challenges that the country is facing.

“We have made very specific recommendations in our manifesto including the establishment of a Food Security Council that will ensure food security which is a constitutional right. Our manifesto also recommends that the Strategic Food Reserve need not be a preserve of the National Government instead both levels of government should run it,” noted Kajwang.

The interview, a forum to analyze the different sets of manifestos, saw the two allies of their respective party leaders argue in defence of their party pledges.

“The NASA manifesto provides for transition to County governments but that specific act is already obsolete and that is evidenced by the current status where there is no Transitional Authority,” Murkomen argued.

However, Kajwang faulted Murkomen for not being familiar with the content of the NASA manifesto saying that both sides have good ideas citing the General Services Agency proposal by the ruling coalition as a good example but said NASA will implement its promises stressing that the ruling coalition has not fulfilled its promises.

“Our manifesto talks about empowering already existing institutions to bolster the fight against corruption, we have enough laws and resources, Jubilee is talking about streamlining state operations  but they have had four years to do that and failed.” Kajwang continued.

Murkomen questioned NASA’s campaign financing saying individuals who have been implicated in corruption scandals in the past are bankrolling the opposition’s rallies, a claim Kajwang dismissed.