By Anderson Ojwang   

President William Ruto’s masterstroke in appointing the immediate former national chairperson of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) to the Treasury and Economic Planning portfolio is telling. The alumni of Kokuru Secondary School in Migori County are what President Ruto needed to ease the economic and administrative burden on his shoulders at the Treasury ministry to steer the ship to safe docking.

The straight-talking and indefatigable worker, Mbadi, is on a mission to stabilize the economy and help the government realize its agenda for the nation.

In a recent roundtable meeting and before the President, Mbadi said, “Your Excellency, what I wanted to say which is not part of my speech, in response to what the chairman has said. The first one, Chairman, I was embarrassed in Washington, that we were treated badly. I wanted to clarify.”

“But when you see, you find African countries queueing in the corridor and then they are called one by one, Nigeria you come in for 15-20 minutes, next Rwanda, Kenya, and the chain continues. I mean to some of us who have some pride, it is demeaning.”

“You see the money that we are asking for out there, Your Excellency, if we just tighten up our system, we can do without some of these monies. We can do that. Today IMF has released Sh 78 billion but if the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) puts the system in place we can collect not less than Sh 400 billion. We can do without some of these loans.”

“But again, Your Excellency, the chairman spoke about staff motivation, and I am aligned as a country.”

After his appointment, Mbadi made promises to transform the Treasury and improve public confidence in the government.

“Your Excellency, I promised you when you appointed me that you did not appoint a conman. We will not con Kenyans; we will speak to Kenyans. Where Kenyans feel we need to change, we will change, but let us engage.”

“Again, what I told my team at the Treasury when the President appointed me, he did not appoint a clerk; he appointed someone who would come up with policies. So policies must be proposed. So those who oppose policies that are proposed are wrong. Let us engage, let us discuss, and where you feel we need to change, we will change.”

“We put out a notice asking you to give us proposals. We received these proposals. Let us now engage and discuss.”

Mbadi, after his appointment to the Treasury, in a hallmark move, sought public input on reforms to address debt, county cash crises, and inclusive economic growth in the country.

The Treasury sought from the public to address the cash crisis in counties in case the Division of Revenue Bill and County Allocation of Revenue Bill are not enacted on time (by 30th June).

The public was also required, before 4th October 2024, to submit their views on necessary reforms to enhance tax administration and compliance to ensure each taxpayer pays the rightful share of tax through reducing tax evasion and avoidance.

To cut down on expenditures from revenue collected, Mbadi sought views on how to rationalize tax expenditures that would erode the government’s income, which could otherwise be used for projects to improve the welfare of all Kenyans. The views are also expected to capture legislative measures deemed fit to ensure equity and fairness in taxation and provide tax amnesty where justified.

Views on legislative reforms essential for improving the social and economic well-being of all Kenyans, considering the current debt situation and the need for a sustainable public debt position without putting more burden on Kenyans, are also sought.

“The proposals received in these areas will inform reforms to be undertaken in revenue administration and review of legislation by my ministry to foster inclusive economic growth for the welfare of all Kenyans for submission to Parliament,” he said.

Mbadi stated that Kenya’s economy has grown despite challenges with the economy expanding by 5 per cent in the first quarter and 4.6 per cent in the second quarter, and the growth is projected to moderate to 5.2 per cent in 2024 and move to 5.4 per cent.

“Our economy has grown. Global economy growing at 3.22 per cent and sub-Saharan 3.7 per cent. Kenya’s economy growing above beyond the average,” he said.

In his first speech after the appointment, Mbadi emphasized the urgent need to address Kenya’s debt, now over KES 10 trillion. Currently, the Auditor General has started to examine the country’s debt to ascertain the amounts owed to various creditors.

Kenya’s debt stands at 10.5 trillion shillings ($81.71 billion), and an audit of the borrowings was one of the key demands of anti-tax hike protesters that forced the government to abandon several planned tax increases in June.

The auditor general is a constitutionally mandated independent office funded by the state. During the height of the protests, President William Ruto appointed a committee to perform the audit. However, several appointees, including the head of the Law Society of Kenya, declined the appointments, saying the task should be carried out by the auditor general.

Mbadi had promised to ensure there is more “debt accountability” to help the public better understand the issue.

Nyando MP Jared Okello said Mbadi was doing good work to transform and stabilize the economy.

By Anderson Ojwang

It was only a matter of when and not why, where, what and how for the Professor of Law to assume the office of the Deputy President.
Prof Kithure Kindiki in his acceptance speech after the nomination of Mathira MP Rigathi Gachagua as the running mate to President William Ruto two years ago, capped that God willing, he would soon rightfully sit at the top second powerful seat in the country.
“And I am not also satisfied by the process our party followed in identifying running mate. Secondly, what you have said is true, there was a variety of considerations in this process including opinion polls in which I led. There were also considerations including voting through the electoral college which I also won. However, God willing, we will have an opportunity for me to make it up to you. One day and that day will not be far away,”
After the 2022 victory, at Kindiki’s home backyard, the impeached deputy president after thanking the then internal security cabinet secretary predicted that Moi University alumni would one day land the top seat and finally it came to pass with a bitter taste on Rigathi.
‘I want to thank the Prof, the day the president was searching for a running mate. He observed that I was fully qualified and Prof was equally qualified. There emerged a stalemate. I am a worker, professor is also a worker. I am an honest person, professor is also an honest person. Stalemate, Over 17 hours. He asked us to sit down with the professor. I told the professor, that on age matter, I am older than you. Kindly leave this for me. If we get the leadership, you will get something big. Did it not happen? I want to thank the Professor for stepping down for me. Professor work closely with the president and me and you are still a young man, you will lead,’ Rigathi said.
In his first speech after swearing him, Kindiki said Kenya was the land of possibility and that he was the testament of such a possibility.
“Words may fail me to explain how grateful I am today. I will say I am grateful to the Almighty God. I am grateful to you sir for the honor to serve under you. I have been your political student for 20 years and you have helped me in my political space to grow,” he said.
“Throughout my journey culminating with this moment today, I have come to believe that Kenya is the country of possibility. Your Excellency, for a person like me to stand here today and take oath to the office of the Deputy President. It can only happen in Kenya. I was born in one of the remotest areas in Kenya. I am the most unlikely person but Kenya has made it possible for anybody to become something. Thank you very much and I am honoured,’ he said.
The Deputy President promised to serve the country and the President and swore to be loyal and provide President Ruto with assistance and support he may require and committed to remain faithful.
“Today, I have received the highest honour in my life and I don’t take it for granted. I commit, I will be loyal, faithful and work hard to lighten the burden you carry on your shoulder and make the country a better place,” he said.
The Deputy President thanked the various institutions for making the process a reality saying Kenya’s democracy has matured.
President Ruto said he was proud to witness the swearing of the third deputy president of Kenya under the 2010 constitution.
‘I am proud to witness the swearing-in of the honourable Abraham Kithure Kindiki as the third Deputy President of Kenya under the 2010 constitution. I know him as a dedicated professional committed to his call and a tireless public servant. Abraham is a patriot, nationalist, a preacher of unity and inclusivity which is beyond reproach.’
President Ruto said the new Deputy President was a loyal steward of the bottom-up agenda and for the two decades he has witnessed him succeed in various offices he has held.
“People of Kenya require a patriot. The Constitution is greater than any office and all must submit to the Constitution. I am honoured that he is available and ready to serve as my Deputy. My brother, welcome to the great service of Kenya,’ he said.
President Ruto challenged Kindiki to be the new voice of the government in articulating its development saying for the last two years, it has been lonely.
“I have been the lonely voice in the presidency. Help me speak. We have missed the voice for the last two years. You are eloquent, go out and speak out our government agenda,” he said.
He said his government will support every part of the country and no community will be excluded in its development agenda.
“We are not here to serve our communities, families, and villagers but Kenya. I heard you pledge on that. That is what Kenya expects of you to serve all without any bias or affection,’ he said.
Prime Secretary Musalia Mudavadi said Kindiki was a man of humility, a virtue Kenyans needed most to grow.
“In Kindiki, we see virtue, humility, and simplicity. He doesn’t walk with the air around him. That is the virtue that the nation needs to develop,” he said.