Barasa accuses Raila of copying Ruto’s bottom-up economic approach
By People Reporter, July 20, 2021Kimilil MP Didimus Barasa has criticized Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Raila Odinga for ‘copying’ Deputy President William Ruto’s bottom-up economy agenda which he had earlier opposed.
Barasa said the declaration by Raila on how to help rebuild the economy through industrialization was exactly what he rejected when pushing for the BBI agenda.
On July 18, Raila said there should be a mind shift against skilled manual jobs adding that the government had done very little to nurture skills and make them drivers of the economy.
He noted that empowering the youthful population with basic skills to become technicians, tailors, cooks, hairdressers, artisans and craftsmen holds the potential of turning the country’s economic fortunes.
“I have some ideas on how we can have many made in Kenya products in supermarket shelves and shops in a sustained manner that ensures homegrown industrialization,” he said.
Raila also proposed the creation of a human resource agency to scout and nurture the raw talent and align the unique abilities with nation industrial goals.
However, while praising him for the bold transformation agenda Barasa wondered why Raila likes copying Ruto’s ideas instead of initiating his own.
“I want to express my joy and happiness that recently I heard Raila Amolo Odinga change his tune from tibim tialala to advocating for an economic model that would spur economic growth at the rural center in what he referred to as economic development for rural Kenya,” he said.
Barasa said the former PM also talked of a model which will reform the local manufacturing center which he defined the local markets to fall in the brackets of mama mboga, local tailors and local blacksmiths.