Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has called on Government to always think of people first.
Odinga notes that any decisions that government makes should be people-centred.
He was speaking when he joined President William Ruto and the entire cabinet at the Third Retreat and Midterm Review of the National Executive.
Odinga added that no matter our disagreements, our visions and disappointments, we have to have a country first.
“We may hold as lofty visions as we wish, but without a country to implement the ideas, they will remain mere wishes and deferred dreams. An imperfect nation making efforts to become a more perfect union is preferable to a nation that went under,” he said.
This is the first retreat since the ODM and UDA signed an MOU that not only preserved the nation but also set out a broad agenda for the creation of a people-centered, proactive, inclusive and pragmatic service delivery.
According to Odinga, this review also comes at a trying time for the country, emerging from those demanding better services and more say in government.
The ferment, he added that is also driven by those who feel they have to be in power. Both categories are citizens of Kenya. They deserve a hearing.
“It is my hope that this policy and performance review could lead to a better understanding and ownership of the government by the people. With lessons from the recent past, I would say that going forward, everything has to be about the people, not the leaders,” he said.
He pointed out that one of the lessons is that without the people’s understanding and ownership of government policy design and execution, a perception will persist that the government is not delivering.
The former Prime Minister was categorical that the Government programs must never leave anyone or any region behind, regardless of how people voted in the last elections.
“Pursuing an inclusive development agenda is a strong basis for the peace and stability of the nation. The persistent question all government officers must always ask is, might we be leaving any part of Kenya behind as we implement programs?,” he said.
He regretted that the country has seen upheavals in recent days, adding that while there are those praying for more of such turmoil as a possible path to power, there are millions of others working and praying for the nation to overcome, stand and thrive, no matter the political differences.
He maintained that his position is that leaders are put in place for difficult times to help turn the tide by providing solutions.
In the 2025/26 budget, Odinga noted that there has been an attempt by the government to address the concerns that led to the upheaval in the last financial year.
Going forward, he said the government must look into more avenues for more response to the burdens of the people, not in order to be popular or to win the next election, but because it is the right thing to do.
According to Odinga, the government must make consistent efforts to make itself customer-friendly.
He called on the National Executive and indeed the County Governments to continue making the government learn, smart, transparent, efficient, easily navigable, and attuned to the thinking and methods of the young and restless customers.
He reiterated the need for more to be done in the field of governance through building strong institutions.
“A core component of good governance is building robust national institutions, promoting the rule of law, strengthening the private sector, and protecting the independent media and civil society,” he said.
Odinga called on the National Executive to invest in the management of domestic financial resources.
This, he said is particularly critical in an era where the young have easy tools with which to trace usage of public funds.
Corruption and wastage in the public sector, Odinga noted that it remains a serious threat to this ideal, and that it has to be punished and be seen to be getting punished.
