By Anita Chepkoech
President Uhuru Kenyatta has warned development partners against interfering with the running of the country even as Kenya opened itself up to tough conditions that come with debt suspension requests.
President Kenyatta on Friday took a swipe at the unnamed development partners, saying “nchi ina wenyewe (the country has owners)”. Kenya is seeking debt suspension from the club of rich nations, by participating in the G-20 Debt Service Suspension Initiative (DSSI). This does not come without conditions.
The stock of Kenya’s public debt stood at Sh7.06 trillion (US$ 65.4 billion) amounting to 69.2 per cent of GDP as at August 2020. The pandemic has only increased that. The current stock of public debt, if added to the undisbursed debt, translates to Sh8.41 trillion. ”This is just Sh600 billion shy of the Sh9 trillion ceiling, meaning that Kenya has very limited space for additional borrowing.
No “lectures”
Despite not naming the development partners, the Head of State was referring to international financial institutions like the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank who give cash strapped nations aid but which comes with unpopular conditions. ”The tough-talking President said although his government appreciates the support it receives from the various partners where development is concerned, he will not take kindly any efforts by the external forces to “lecture” his administration or push vested agendas.
The Head of State, who was accompanied by his Deputy William Ruto, spoke during the launch of County Covid-19 Social Economic Re-engineering Recovery Strategy hosted by the Council of Governors in Nairobi.
In his speech, Mr Kenyatta appreciated development partners, especially mentioning the United Nations and others who he said had been close collaborators and instrumental in achieving the agenda. “But at this juncture, I must also make it clear that while we appreciate your support and look forward to your collaboration, you must always remember that Kenya has its owners, and its owners are the 50 million Kenyans,” said the President. He did not mention his target or what exactly was being interfered with.
“Please, I ask you to refrain from interfering, telling us or trying to direct us on which way we should go. We are clear about where we want to go. We ask you to join us to support us in that endeavour. But do not interfere because we shall not allow you to dictate to us which direction that should be because that is up to Kenyans,”
Source: Daily Nation