Displeased Kenyans Storm IMF’s Facebook Page After Approving Sh255 Billion Loan to Kenya

Displeased Kenyans Storm IMF’s Facebook Page After Approving Sh255 Billion Loan to Kenya

Kenyans are up in arms after the International Monetary Fund (IMF) approved a Sh255 billion loan to Kenya to help support the country’s COVID-19 response.

The Washington-based international lender on Saturday announced that its executive board approved the 38-month program under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) and the Extended Fund Facility (EFF).

“The three-year financing package will support the next phase of the authorities’ COVID-19 response and their plan to reduce debt vulnerabilities while safeguarding resources to protect vulnerable groups,” IMF said in a statement.

But Kenyans on social media stormed IMF’s Facebook page to express their displeasure, accusing the lender of contributing to the country’s ballooning public debt.

Kenyans are unhappy with President Kenyatta administration’s insatiable appetite for foreign loans amid concerns that the country’s debt could be reach unsustainable levels.

The 2021 Budget Policy Statement indicates that Kenya’s public debt stood at Sh7. 06 trillion as of June 2020, equivalent to 65 percent of the GDP.

Here is what Kenyans said on IMF’s Facebook page.

Benedict Yala posted: “IMF is an enemy of Kenyans, they keep sending loans unnecessary loans to our useless government.”

Zachary Kittony wrote: “Stop dishing loans to Kenyan government, we the citizens are already overburdened. The said loan will end up in the pockets of a few gluttonous politicians.”

Mwihaki Mwangi said: “Stop lending money to Kenyan government. It ends up in few corrupt pockets. No change in living standards to the common citizens. We are becoming poorer and poorer. Heavy taxes levied on our meagre salaries. Reverse the loans. We don't need it.”

Patrick De Kilonzi Sr. said: “IMF is frustrating us Kenyans! You are making lives for us unbearable with the loans you're giving to government.”

Erick Mwanzia KE quipped: “You are sinking our beloved Country Kenya to debts, Those loans you approve everytime are pocketed by individuals, again we as the common citizens suffer because the government has to overtax us to pay your loans.”

Kenyans are up in arms after the International Monetary Fund (IMF) approved a Sh255 billion loan to Kenya to help support the country’s COVID-19 response.

The Washington-based international lender on Saturday announced that its executive board approved the 38-month program under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) and the Extended Fund Facility (EFF).

“The three-year financing package will support the next phase of the authorities’ COVID-19 response and their plan to reduce debt vulnerabilities while safeguarding resources to protect vulnerable groups,” IMF said in a statement.

But Kenyans on social media stormed IMF’s Facebook page to express their displeasure, accusing the lender of contributing to the country’s ballooning public debt.

Kenyans are unhappy with President Kenyatta administration’s insatiable appetite for foreign loans amid concerns that the country’s debt could be reach unsustainable levels.

The 2021 Budget Policy Statement indicates that Kenya’s public debt stood at Sh7. 06 trillion as of June 2020, equivalent to 65 percent of the GDP.

Here is what Kenyans said on IMF’s Facebook page.

Benedict Yala posted: “IMF is an enemy of Kenyans, they keep sending loans unnecessary loans to our useless government.”

Zachary Kittony wrote: “Stop dishing loans to Kenyan government, we the citizens are already overburdened. The said loan will end up in the pockets of a few gluttonous politicians.”

Mwihaki Mwangi said: “Stop lending money to Kenyan government. It ends up in few corrupt pockets. No change in living standards to the common citizens. We are becoming poorer and poorer. Heavy taxes levied on our meagre salaries. Reverse the loans. We don't need it.”

Patrick De Kilonzi Sr. said: “IMF is frustrating us Kenyans! You are making lives for us unbearable with the loans you're giving to government.”

Erick Mwanzia KE quipped: “You are sinking our beloved Country Kenya to debts, Those loans you approve everytime are pocketed by individuals, again we as the common citizens suffer because the government has to overtax us to pay your loans.”

Comments

Kim (not verified)     Sun, 04/04/2021 @ 11:05pm

As a country we really need to envision how we can create wealth for the country. For example; Kenya is located at a very strategic shipping route. Many goods that are coming from Asian countries for the West pass through these shipping routes. It is well known that the West has an insatiable appetite for consumer goods/products. If the Kenyan nation can figure out how to create a strong manufacturing industry, It is conceivable that there is a lot of wealth that can be made. The govt, in conjunction with the academic sector and the private sector should look into modalities of giving life to a strong manufacturing industry in Kenya. It can be done and we can do it.

Tujiblame (not verified)     Sun, 04/04/2021 @ 11:30pm

Once again Kenyans regret choosing worthless "leaders" huh? IMF doesn't give two shits about what wananchis are ranting about. All they care about is their bottom line. They deal with "leaders" Kenyans elect. It's a bit too late, don't you think? Going up in arms against a body that is simply looking out for it's own interests with our blessings- indirectly of course. Now that we've learnt our lessons, Kenyans, let's make better choices come 2022. Especially communities that carry a majority of the country's votes. You owe it to yourselves, the country and the future generations to elect better leaders that will truly have Kenyans' interest at heart.

Maxiley (not verified)     Mon, 04/05/2021 @ 12:17am

One of the most important ratio that lenders like IMF consider is the debt to asset ratio. I take it that IMF figured that Kenya's ration is low enough to warrant a loan.That's what I think,but I stand corrected.
Regardless, we still need to pay these loans,and with 65% of our Gross National Products equivalent to our debt,how in the world are we going to pay for it.
Iam also curious to know how many times has Kenya defaulted on its outside loans.I am will willing to beat at least 5 times.
Wananchi have reasons to worry, because to pay these loans, we have to increase tax, increase production,reduce spending,or restructure our loan payments.Non of with is palatable.
Well all Ican say is that acountry defaulting on loans is bad enough,but the creditors are not going to take the country away.But things could get rough if we have to devalue our currency to attract more business in the country so as to get more income to pay these debts.But remember if we devalue our currency, importing will be very expensive for Kenyans.So wananchi have reasons to complain.The burden to pay falls on them as much as the pain of not paying.My two cents.

Anonymous UI (not verified)     Mon, 04/05/2021 @ 12:43am

Why do Kenyans need help? As long as we are indebted to the Western nations, those western nations will have free access to our resources both human and otherwise. They dictate our policies. They dictate what our national language is and should be - A foreign language since independence (English) even when more than 80% of our population has no use of that language.
These nations that deliberately continue to put Kenya in debt are our enemies!!
This will stop when Kenyans start condeming the source of funds and humiliating our leaders who have presented our image as beggars.
These countries call us " Shit hole" and our leadership keeps quiet because they know they have sold our resources for nothing.
This is all about to change as our God has turned toward us and against our enemies.

Moris Menye (not verified)     Mon, 04/05/2021 @ 10:27am

Kim & Co. should forget of any positive developments,be it industrialization or production for export with the current so-called politicians or mode of govt.Corruption headache which can only be solved by law enforcement to all is our main problem.A bloody revolution is a must as all the current ABOVE THE LAW gods MUST FACE THE FIRING SQUAD.An overhaul of the constitution is necessary to downsize the bloated govt by 3/4 which will cut taxation by 1/2.All county govt should be replaced NMS type of authorities.Nairobi is being run by a few people.

mteja (not verified)     Mon, 04/05/2021 @ 10:30am

IMF doesn't care how the money is spent. Whether it ends up in people's pockets or banks, just like they do with credit to individuals here, they are after making profit out of the interest made with the loan. And as long as someone signs to approve that loan, every care they would have ends right there. All they want is loaning out FUNDS and earn the highest interest possible and stay in business.
Kenyans, roast your leaders instead!

Motofire (not verified)     Mon, 04/05/2021 @ 10:31am

The financial system is a world system aka the devil's system. It is meant to keep ppl in debt. Money is created by debt. No debt no money is created. Debtor is in bondage or servant to the lender as proverbs states. The only way to get out of bondage is tithes and offering for folks. For states and govt the way out is live within your means, stop pilfering and corruption and recover stolen loot. Magufuli did wonders being aggressive on stealers and foreign thieves by renegotiating contracts.

Mathenge (not verified)     Tue, 04/06/2021 @ 08:11am

What Kenyans need to do is stop producing like rats and engage in population control methods!

The population has exploded substantially because no one wants to practice safe methods of enjoying sex with a partner without conceiving unwanted babies!

Then everyone turns around to blame the government for borrowing to cater to the added burdens created by the expanded population!

I totally blame the people (ordinary folks, teachers, professionals, students, politicians, etc) of Kenya for failing to do the right things causing the government to end up enlarging the debt ceiling burden to take care of the huge population.

Everything is a team effort from all the citizens of a country! So do your part and then the government will not have to keep borrowing to cater to your basic needs!

Mūgīkūyū (not verified)     Tue, 04/06/2021 @ 04:37pm

In reply to by Mathenge (not verified)

@Mathenge, wacha zako. Kenya is underpopulated and more so the Mt. Kenya region. The illicit liquor should be done away with and replaced with Ndumas, Ngwaci, Marenge and nyenis because a group of sons of the soil wanacheza na kazi. We need more boys in the mountain.

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