For economic recovery, get priorities right

John Mbadi ,

The Kenyan economy is on shaky ground—Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi recently admitted that the country is not on the right economic path. This was a rare dose of truth in a political culture obsessed with optimism, no matter how disconnected from reality.

Mr Mbadi’s admission, however, is only half the story. Kenya’s economy isn’t just off course—it is bleeding. Households are buckling under the pressure of skyrocketing food prices, joblessness is eating away at the dreams of millions of young Kenyans, and public debt remains uncomfortably high. The government, meanwhile, appears locked in a pattern of reactive policymaking—rolling out taxes faster than reforms and banking on long-term growth while ignoring the present pain of its people.

The bottom-up economic model promised economic inclusivity. But for many, especially in informal sectors, life has become harder. While tax revenues may be growing, they’re being extracted from people who can least afford them, such as market traders and small shop owners.

Yes, the government is investing in infrastructure and digital innovation, and yes, global factors like climate change and geopolitics have played a role. But these explanations ring hollow when public spending remains wasteful and graft drains billions.

Economic recovery must begin with priorities. A government cannot claim to empower its citizens while simultaneously taxing them into poverty. Fiscal discipline is important—but so is empathy. Stimulus support for small businesses, investment in agriculture, youth employment initiatives, and decisive action against graft are urgent.

Kenya is not without potential—we are a resilient, resourceful people and a strategic place in the global economy. But potential alone cannot feed families or repay loans. It needs to be matched with leadership that is bold, transparent, and willing to listen.

Mr Mbadi’s acknowledgment is a step in the right direction. But it must be followed by serious reflection within the President William Ruto administration: are the policies in place helping or hurting the people? The numbers might impress economists—but it’s the lived experience of wananchi that tells the real story.

Kenya does not need economic spin. It needs economic justice.

Anderson Kakuko, West Pokot