Section 1

Ideology and Principles

Identity of our Ideology

ODM–K espouses the principles of Social Democracy, based on five ideals: government obligation to provide support for increased investment and productivity, high returns, equitable distribution of benefits, rising standards of living and free and full exercise of civil rights and individual freedoms

Ideological Aspiration

ODM-K recognizes in its ideology that the government and the citizens each have a special contribution to make in the concerted national push for democracy and social and economic prosperity, based on our national resources and opportunities that are drawn mostly from land, manufacturing, commerce and abilities of our people. ODM-K believes that wealth and prosperity shall come to the Kenyan people through increased economic productivity and fair distribution of the benefits of that increase so that all may gain from the process and thereby end the indignity, suffering and condition of deprivation that nearly half of our population dwells in today. The primary goal of ODM-K is therefore to realize higher economic productivity, higher growth rate, and equitable distribution of resources. Indeed, the manifesto has formulated the terms of a Komesha Umasikini Movement that the party will implement.

Organization of Production

Local Investment: ODM-K believes that productivity and growth are a function of heavy investment in the productive sectors of the economy such as agriculture, horticulture, tourism, manufacturing, mining; and efficient operation of such investments. ODM-K will provide incentives to small, medium, and large-scale investors to raise capital, open up investment fields with higher returns on capital, and open profitable regional and international market for Kenyan goods and services. ODM-K government will also create an investor-friendly environment through appropriate legislation, modern transport and communication infrastructure, low-cost sources of energy, assured security of persons and property, safe water, skilled human resources, and efficient, impartial, professional and avowedly supportive public services.

Foreign Investment: ODM-K believes that local sources of capital are inadequate for the mammoth demand for capital that rapidly expanding investment and productivity requires. Accordingly, our party will create favorable conditions to attract external capital to complement rather than to compete with local Kenyan capital as it seeks to meteorically raise investment and productivity. Public enterprises within carefully selected sectors will continue to be protected in the national interest and insofar as they compliment rather than compete with private investment.

Benefits of Local-Foreign Investment

ODM-K believes that rising investment from the smallest village and community business to the largest national corporations is the master-key to solving a host of social problems. Specifically, increased investment will increase employment opportunities and higher incomes, as well as increased foreign exchange earnings through increased exports and declining imports. Furthermore, rising investment will broaden the national revenue base while increasing aggregate revenues and broaden the capacity of government to render services, facilitate further investments, and ultimately break the cycle of poverty.

Equitable Distribution of Benefits

ODM-K is aware that in the short and medium term, poverty will continue to ravage our people because employment and income creation still be lagging behind. The poor will be looking upon the government to intervene as they strive to take advantage of the expanding economy to secure employment and higher incomes. ODM-K government will intervene in secondary education, healthcare, and social security to ensure that people still afflicted with poverty and unable to meet essential needs are assisted out of the proceeds of expanding government revenues as well as from funds redeemed from corruption.

ODM-K believes that Kenya can realize simultaneously economic growth and equitable distribution through strategic government interventions, quite in keeping with the internationally recognized standards under the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) program.

Freedom and Democracy

ODM-K believes that freedom and democracy are pre-requisites for social and economic prosperity. The ability of the Kenyan people to participate fully in economic activities and to realize their full potential requires a political environment that guarantees equality before the law, and individual rights and freedoms, including the right to own property and to gain access to economic opportunities for all social groups, especially the youth, women, and nomadic pastoralists. Furthermore, freedom to participate in political decision making and in determination of national and local leadership through elections will enable ordinary Kenyans to exercise political control over their leaders.

Principles and Values

ODM-K espouses six core values upon which its struggle for democracy, social welfare and economic prosperity will be based:

i. The fear and love of God

ii. Integrity and moral rectitude

iii. Hard work and mutual social responsibility

iv. Equality and meritocracy

v. Justice and the rule of law

vi. Peace and freedom