1. MINISTERIAL RECORD

When Raila Odinga took over the ministry of roads, works and housing, he found his main responsibility to be how to rehabilitate the country’s road network which had deteriorated to the extent that it had become a major hindrance to economic development. He had to bring about total quality management of the sector through reforms in policy, institutional framework and financing arrangements.

He was also keen on private sector involvement and participation, training and development for sustainability. Road safety improvement, environmental impact assessment and above all, sustainable road sub sector management became part of this vision.

He says one of his main objectives as a minister for the roads sub sector was to restore the condition of our network to an excellent state through road and bridge rehabilitation, periodic and routine maintenance.

He further adds that his record there speaks for itself thus:

I can confidently say that road users now obtain value-for-money. We have also decentralized funds, decision –making and implementation to the District Road Committees which are now working reasonably well and provide an important level of local decision – making.

Adding that there was as a need to reverse negative trends which reinforced each other to create a climate of rapidly diminishing fiscal resources for the provision of infrastructure. He was also instrumental in organizing a conference-the first of its kind in Kenya – that managed to address the perennial problem of securing adequate fiscal resources for the provision and expansion of public infrastructure that faced our country Kenya.

It was during his tenure too that we witnessed the signing of the loan agreement between the World Bank and the Kenyan government on the northern corridor improvement project. I cannot at this point fail to mention the support from the European Union to the sector as well as other donors including the Nordic development fund, badea, sida, the African Development Bank, afd and kfw.

ACHIEVEMENTS

•Upon assuming responsibility at the Ministry, we inline with government policy reform agenda decided to pursue the following strategic objectives:-

•Facilitate adequate provision of roads infrastructure through policy formulation, research design, supervision and regulation of standards for their development and maintenance throughout the country.

•Provision on cost-sharing basis of logistical, manpower development and technical support in roads construction and their maintenance.

•In this regard the Ministry hosted a National Roads conference in July 2004, a first of its kind in Kenya.

•The objectives were to exchange information in the roads sub-sector management,

•Review achievements, operations and receive feedback from stake holders in the sub-sector on performance improvement measures and formulate policies aimed at improving service delivery in the sub-sector.

•Re-examine and rationalize roles and responsibilities of various stakeholders in a bid to harness the sector’s potential in wealth and employment creation.

•One such measure is institutional reforms.

•On arrival we found a Ministry which was a den of corruption, we put measures to ensure zero tolerance to this vice.

•A task force to recommend the best institutional mechanism in which the sub-sector can be best managed was put in place.

•Harmonization of about 20 statutes that govern the road network in Kenya to avoid duplication and eliminate conflicts of interest which beset the sub-sector in the past.

•To date we have over numerous ongoing projects that entail graveling, new construction and rehabilitation.

•While we have these activities went on throughout the country, at the regional level major rehabilitation works concentrated a long the Northern Corridor, that is Mombasa-Busia and Malaba constituting some 368 kms .

•The total number of road projects that have were completed during the short time we were in government is over 200.

•These achievements were made possible by support of our development partners such as the African Development Bank, European Union, World Bank, and other bilateral donors such as China, France, Germany, etc.

•Roads 2000 was supported by EU in 8 districts in Eastern Province, Danida in Nyeri and Kirinyaga and Nyanza Province while French Aid Agency focused in Rift Valley and Central Provinces

PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION ON ROAD COSTRUCTION AND MAINTAINANCE

•The government embarked on the road concessioning to involve Private Sector participation in improving roads countrywide.

•Initial concessioning will start with the southern by-pass to be followed by others soon thereafter along the Northern Corridor.

CONCESSIONING: Northern Corridor

•Government carried out a study on the viability of road concessions

•Study findings determined viability limited to the Northern Corridor for conventional Road Tolling.

•Identified sections are from Mombasa to Machakos Turn Off, Machakos Turn Off to Rironi, Rironi to Busia via Kisumu and Malaba via Eldoret.

REFORMS

•The Government is progressing with the review of the KRB Act so as to strengthen the Kenya Roads Board.

•Private sector players are being encouraged to participate in road concessionning.

•The Government adopted the Finance, Build, Operate and Transfer methods to roads development.

2. LEGISLATIVE RECORD

As MP for Langata constituency in Nairobi, Raila’s record in parliament has been outstanding since he made his debut in 1997. He has distinguished himself as a consistent contributor to key motions in the house in all areas,

 

SOME OF RAILA’S PARLIAMENTARY CONTRIBUTIONS

• Contributing to the motion on the adoption of the report on the benefits of the revival of the East African Community: “The East African Community is a noble idea that is in line with the realities of the world today. We know that globalisation has come and is here to stay. I fully support the revival of the East African Community because our people stand to gain a lot from its benefits. The founding fathers of our various nations had a vision for this region that it could prosper economically if it was united as one unit.”

 

• Contributing to the debate on corruption in public funds as minister for roads, public works and housing: “We would like Hhonorable members of parliament and councillors to ensure that the Constituency Roads Fund is used properly. In the past, most of this money has been misappropriated. It is in the best interest of honorable members to ensure that there is no corruption in the use of the roads levy so that we can move and ensure that dilapidated roads in the country are given a facelift.”

 

• Contributing to the motion on the Amendment to the Local Authorities Act: “Local authorities ought to be empowered financially in order to provide the services for which they have been created. For example, we need to have chairmen and mayors of local authorities who are elected directly by the people as chief executives.”

 

• His contribution to the Pensions (Amendment) Bill: “Mimi naunga mkono jwa dhati Mswada huu ambao unapendekeza kwamba kama mtu anastaafu kile kina cha kuinua mgongo wake kitayarishwe na alipwe hapo hapo kabla hajaenda nyumbani.”

 

• On the debate regarding the appointment of Pan African members of parliament: “The Pan African parliament is a very important forum because members of the African Union are working towards the eventual union of the African continent. It is important that our members in the AU parliament do share with us what is discussed there.”

• On Sessional Paper No.6 on Education: “Fundamental issues ought to be included in the Sessional Paper No. 6 on Education so that we can have a radical departure from what has been created in the past and create mechanisms to address our educational needs. We must develop a knowledge-based society and to do this, education is very important. The issues of access, equity and quality must be addressed adequately.”

• Debate on the constitutional review process: “We all swore and promised the people of Kenya that we would give them a new constitution this year (2003). Be that as it may, we need as honorable members of parliament to provide leadership in the constitutional review process. That is why I am proposing that both sides of the House should have some kind of dialogue, so that we can agree on how we shall proceed when we go back to Bomas of Kenya. We wanted a constitutional review process that was not controlled by the executive, the legislature or the judiciary. We wanted an independent process.”

 

• Contributing to the debate on the introduction of tougher penalties for rapists: “We want to build a secular, non-sexist, non-ethnic and a non-racist society. So the crime of rape is not a gender issue. It is a crime against humanity that must be dealt with with decisive force.”

• Contributing to the debate on allegations that some ministers are involved in corruption: “If allegations of corruption are made against a government minister, he or she should have the onus to defend himself/herself instead of saying that the government is being put under siege and that some people want to bring the government down. If I am being charged as an individual, it is my responsibility to come out and answer the allegations as an individual, instead of saying that the government is being tarnished.”

3. CONSTITUENCY RECORD

Like on the political front, Raila’s development record is a journey that began long ago and the cosmopolitan Lang’ata constituency in Nairobi is a clear testimony to his unwavering commitment to changing the lives of Kenyans. Several projects initiated in Lang’ata constituency have given a glimpse of his social, political and economic agenda.

Development in Lang’ata cuts across all spheres of life including Education, Social empowerment, Environment, Health and Infrastructure.

Education: The Raila Educational Center stands as a monumental testament to his commitment in ensuring that disadvantaged children are given access to education. Some of the schools which have benefited from the CDF in the constituency include Lang’ata High School, Raila Educational Center, Olympic Secondary School and Karen C. Raila has personally initiated an ICT Center at the Lang’ata High School and Raila Educational Center through the donation of computers to jumpstart the program. A total of 2475 children have been provided with desks and other facilities through his initiative.

Health: One of the biggest challenges facing Kenya is the provision of healthcare especially in slum areas like Kibera. Raila has been on the forefront in sourcing for sponsorship to mitigate the suffering of thousands of slum residents whose accessibility to medical facilities is limited. Free medical camps have been going on in Kibera with some of the groups involved in the program through the support of groups like Gina Din, Masaba Hospital and Constant Gardeners. Efforts are still continuing to ensure that the burden of Medicare is eased in Kibera and other areas. Sports: Personal involvement by Raila to develop sports in Lang’ata constituency has resulted in the provision of funds for sponsorship of competitions and the expansion of facilities. Currently, the Kibera Ramadhan cup annually staged at the Woodley grounds ranks as one of the key events in the constituency. It brings together youths from diverse backgrounds in the area. Other events which have received support from Raila include volleyball and handball tournaments.

Social responsibility: Hon. Raila has been at the forefront in ensuring that women and youths are empowered in Lang’ata constituency. Women groups in the constituency received a major boost of Ksh. 3 million donation from Raila and his friends this year and a similar exercise is underway for the youths. He has also been active in soliciting for assistance for victims of disasters in the constituency and other regions of the country.

Environment: Hon. Raila realizes that the environment is a key component of development. In Kibera, he has ensured that sections of the crowded slums are provided with pit latrines while youths and other groups are empowered to protect the environment. Groups which have lent support through his initiative include Constant Gardeners, Coca-Cola International, Umande Trust, Ushirika and other UN Agencies. The CDF has also contributed to the provision of more pit latrines and water tanks to ease sanitation problems for thousands of slum dwellers whose lives are constantly at risk.

4. SOCIAL RECORD

1970 – Assistant lecturer, department of mechanical engineering, University of

Nairobi

 

1971 – Partner in Franz Schineis & Partners, engineering consultants

 

1971 – Established Standard Processing Equipment Construction & Erection

(Spectre, later East African Spectre Ltd), engineering company that later

specialised in the manufacture of liquid petroleum gas cylinders

 

1974 – Appointed group standards manager, Kenya Bureau of Standards

 

1975 – Two-month programme at British Standards Institution, London: Standards

and specification writing, product testing and quality control

 

1976 – Two-month programme at US National Bureau of Standards, Gaithersburg,

Maryland, and University of Denver, Colorado

 

1978 – Promoted to deputy director, Kenya Bureau of Standards