Azimio presidential candidate Raila Odinga on Monday, June 6 unveiled his manifesto as he prepares to clinch the presidency, giving his plans that will aid in jumpstarting the economy within his first 100 days in office.

Speaking during a colourful evening event at Nyayo Stadium, he pledged to improve the quality and cost of living for Kenyans , taking a particular interest in industrialization, that he said is the long overdue for a transformation.

One pledge however, seemed to have the caught the attention of Kenyans , and that is the reintroduction of the cotton industry to rid the importation of second hand clothes popularly known as 'Mitumba'. The presidential hopeful stated that he intended to empower farmers who rely on cotton as a sole cash crop to cater to the demand of the local textile industry, in a bid to reduce the importation of the thrifted materials while at the same time embarking on local production.

"Our textile industry was killed through liberization when they brought Mitumba , it killed all our textile industries. Our people are only wearing clothes worn outside the country, that have been worn by people who are dead.

"We are going to primary production, so that our people who are importing Mitumba can have food product to sell here," he stated.

He defended that his plan was not intent on rendering the majority of Kenyans who rely on the trade jobless, but to provide quality products made in Kenya by Kenyans for Kenyans.

" I am not saying that we are going to run anyone out of business, we will ensure that those who are importing mitumba get the first hand to market goods which are going to be manufactured here in this country," the former Prime Minster stated.

Many Kenyans took to social media to express their views on the pledge, with one section supporting the move as it would bring back the collapsed industries that offered employment to thousands of Kenyans.

"In the past years, Kicomi, Rivatex, Raymond's Tex, strived. There was employment through manufacturing, there was money for cotton farmers and there was money for the sellers. Produce Kenya, build Kenya, sell Kenya; what is wrong with that? Good for us,"  one user named Kathleen Jemima stated.

"This is the turning point for Kenya!! Azimio presents a perfect opportunity to make things right,if we dont seize this chance,we may never get it!!" another user stated.

Another section of Kenyans were skeptical of the move, especially with the current high cost of manufacturing, as well as the benefits of thrifting through the re-use of the said items which significantly reduces pollution. Others found his sentiments demeaning to those who rely on the importation of the Mitumba for their employment.

"Very insensitive and inhumane remarks demeaning Mitumba Hustlers who are genuine traders out to feed their families," Kangi Dennis argued.

"On the road to a sustainable future, reusing is a good option. Thrifting clothes is not bad and that industry has created millions of jobs. What happens to those people ?" another user posed.

The Azimio leader continued to lay out the raft of changes in the economic sector that he was confident would change the bolt the country towards self sustenance.