Debt Crisis: Ndii Says Azimio Wants Kenya to Go Zambian Way

President William Ruto's economic advisor David Ndii has said the Opposition is obstructing Kenya Kwanza’s efforts to tackle the nation's debt crisis. 

Ndii claimed that the Opposition, who have voiced their intent to initiate protests in response to the passing of the Finance Bill, 2023, are looking to thwart Kenya Kwanza's progress in ending the country’s overdependence on loans. In November 2020, Zambia became the first African nation to default on its foreign debt amid the Covid-19 pandemic. 

"Zambia defaulted. It's in “receivership” basically. It is where we were headed with the Handshake brothers. We are doing the Finance Bill you are fighting so as not to go there." Ndii posted on his social media pages. 

In its 2021 budget, Zambia devoted more capital to debt servicing than to the education, health, water, and sanitation sectors combined. Furthermore, in March 2023, Zambia disclosed that its total public debt stock had risen to US$32.8 billion. At an interdenominational prayer service in Kajiado on Sunday, President William Ruto implored leaders of all sides to join forces to transform the nation. 

“Even as you point out what you think should be done better, we must always not intend to sabotage our country,” he said. 

The Head of State was accompanied by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi who stressed that leaders must be responsible citizens and assist the President to advance the country. He added that the Opposition should not destabilize the country through mass action since they did not win the 2020 Presidential race.