Former Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) chairman and Cabinet Secretary (CS) nominee for National Treasury and Planning John Mbadi has weighed in on the concept of Bottom Up and ODM manifesto.
Speaking before the National Assembly Committee on Appointments on Aug 3, Mbadi stated that there was no difference between Kenya Kwanza’s concept known as Bottom Up and ODM philosophy.
“Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) is actually a concept of United Democratic Alliance (UDA). If you look at the philosophy of UDA and ODM, there is no difference actually, the two are social democrats. The two political parties promote social democracy,” Mbadi said.
Additionally, he pointed out the similarities including the cost of living and job creations which he said was equally part of the ODM manifesto.
“Look at BETA what is it all about it talks job creations cost of living, Agricultural productivity and digital economy. What about ODM manifestos? We talked about the same. actually, the BETA concept is in the value addition,” he added.
Mbadi was responding to a question posed to him by Suna East Member of Parliament (MP) Junet Mohamed on marrying the concepts of UDA and ODM manifesto considering their different political divides.
Also Read: Joho, Oparanya & Mbadi Resign from ODM
John Mbadi Compares UDA and ODM Manifestos
In his submission, the nominee emphasized his participation in drafting ODM’s manifesto noting that there were similarities in that both ideologies emphasize value addition in agriculture, despite different terminologies.
“Now ODM manifesto which I participated in drafting, we had manufacturing, emphasizing on Agriculture as raw material. So, is manufacturing supported by agriculture. BETA is on agriculture for value addition, ODM, agriculture for manufacturing, semantics,” he said.
“Housing was our concept, both of us, Finally, Mr. Speaker, there is the constitution, and the PFM Act, which will guide my conduct in office if approved,” he said.
Also Read: ODM Names Replacements for John Mbadi & Opiyo Wandayi in Parliament
Azimio Leaders in Ruto’s Cabinet
Mbadi is one of four Azimio la Umoja members that was picked by President William Ruto, in the ‘broad-based’ government.
Aside from Mbadi, other ODM nominees included James Opiyo Wandayi who has been named as designated CS in the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum.
Former Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho was also nominated to the ministry of Mining, Blue economy and Maritime Affairs and while former Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Ambetsa Oparanya was nominated to lead the Ministry of Co-operatives and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Development.
Ruto said that the nominees were chosen after further consultation with different stakeholders with the aim of ensuring peace in the country following the recent anti-government protests.
However, a section of Kenyans was skeptical of how the opposition will operate in Cabinet citing a looming handshake between Raila Odinga and Ruto.
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