On 5^th July 2022, Mkenya Daima Initiative today participated in the launch of a model manifesto for political parties in Kenya at the Safari Park Hotel in Nairobi. The manifesto is a result of a collaboration between the Kenya Vision 2030 Delivery Secretariat (VDS) and the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP), that aimed at enhancing public awareness and promoting a just and cohesive society through political dialogue.

Present during the launch were Dr Kevit Desai – Principal Secretary, State Department of East African Community (EAC); Dr Vimal Shah – Chairperson, Mkenya Daima Steering Committee; Kenneth Mwige – Director-General, Kenya Vision 2030 Delivery Secretariat; Joseph Tiampati – Ag. Chair, Kenya Vision 2030; Silvia Makanga – ORPP Representative; Franklin Mukwanja – Executive Director, Centre for Multiparty Democracy; Taabu Daniels – Executive Director, Narc Kenya; Lucy Ndung’u – Commissioner Administrative Justice; Joseph Kimani – Royal Danish Embassy Representative; Florence Syevuo – Country Coordinator, SDGs Kenya Forum among others.

The objective of the launch was to publicize the Model Manifesto to all Kenyans in order to enable constructive dialogue and engagement on the political promises made during the campaigns. The manifesto also provides political parties with a tool for the alignment of their policy documents, specifically their manifestos, to the Kenya Vision 2030 Blueprint and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Speaking during the launch, Dr Vimal Shah said that Vision 2030 is an aspiration for all citizens and therefore puts the interests of the nation first since it’s not a party manifesto but for all Kenyans. “We want to make sure that on the social, political and the economic pillar, we are actually spot-on in terms of where we’re going as a country. It’s not about 2022 nor 2027 but for posterity of this great nation,” He said. Dr Vimal also emphasized the need for every individual to take the responsibility of vetting leaders, voting in accountable leaders and maintaining peace.

Dr Kevit Desai termed the launch as a historic moment that reinforces the continuity of Vision 2030 and promotes a sense of collective ownership. “The need for a multistakeholder approach to facilitate delivery of the Vision 2030 is one of the core mandates of VDS through the vision delivery board. We believe in promoting collective action and bringing all the different stakeholders together in view of the fact that diversity is the possibility of hope,” said Dr Desai who is also the Chairman of the Social and Political Pillar of the Vision 2030 Board Committee.

Kenneth Mwige, on his part, pointed out the fact that this year’s election is different because for the first time the conversation is about issues, which he said is one of the biggest dividends of the political pillar of Kenya Vision 2030 that speaks to the political arena that is issue-based. “We have many issues, some geopolitical, but when it comes down to our Kenya, we have to make sure that we are making steady progress. Political parties are not enemies of each other, they all want the same thing; development.” He said.