David Ndii, the Chairperson of President William Ruto’s Council of Economic Advisors (CEA), has issued a bold warning about placing blind trust in politicians and the government. His cautionary remarks stem from Kenya’s escalating debt crisis and the government’s imposition of extensive tax measures in a bid to boost its revenue collection and tax base.
Ndii’s concerns can be traced back to statements he made in March 2021 when he said that Kenya was effectively under receivership due to its mounting loans from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
He emphasized the hefty price tag attached to these loans and expressed skepticism about the idea that Kenya could accumulate debt recklessly for a decade and then expect politicians to easily resolve the consequences, especially in the midst of election period. Ndii asks, “Are we sober? I told you two years ago Kenya was in receivership. Nothing has changed.”
In a response to a Twitter user’s belief in President Ruto and Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s campaign promises to rejuvenate Kenya’s economy within their first 100 days in office, Ndii was precise and clear with his words saying, “I don’t believe politicians, and I don’t trust the government. If you do either, you are a sucker.”
He further clarified that his involvement in the government was driven by a sense of civic duty rather than an expression of trust.
The catalyst for these discussions was the latest announcement of record-high petroleum product prices. The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) revealed that prices for Super, Diesel, and Kerosene had surged by Sh16.96, Sh21.32, and Sh33.13, respectively, bringing the costs to Sh211.64, Sh200.9, and Sh202.61 per liter in Nairobi.
Ndii acknowledged that “oil price shocks are very normal” and suggested that they were a means for Kenya to meet its debt obligations. However, the burden of these price increases falls squarely on the shoulders of ordinary Kenyans already suffering and struggling with the rising cost of living.
To address the nation’s mounting public debt, which reached a staggering Sh9.6 trillion in June 2023, the government has resorted to implementing new taxes and hiking existing ones. This has left many Kenyans feeling overburdened and frustrated, with little relief in sight.
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