How is Public Debt Affecting Kenyans?

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On 5th April 2022, the Okoa Uchumi Campaign, which is a civil society initiative working towards accountability in public debt management, launched a Citizen’s Manifesto. But why a manifesto, you ask? Well, for some time now, citizens and civil society have been raising concerns over the ever-increasing debt burden, usually acquired under opaque circumstances. It is reported that for every Ksh100 that the government collects in revenue, Ksh68 goes to debt repayment.

What this means for citizens is that there is less money available in our national budget that can be allocated to social services such as healthcare, education, water, sanitation, security, and more. It also means that the government has to find more ways of raising revenue, for example by taxing basic goods like maize flour, bread, and even sanitary towels. This means that citizens have to dig deeper into their pockets just to afford basic commodities.

When used wisely, however, debt can be a good thing. If used wisely and in moderation, debt can be used to advance an economy and improve people’s welfare. Even at a household level, debt can be used for financial advancement, but overborrowing can lead to bankruptcy and financial ruin.

All hope is not lost however, this can still be fixed. One of the ways we can do this is by being more active citizens, exercising our constitutional right and obligation to participate in the governance process.

The Citizen’s Manifesto brings together the voices of citizens to call for transparency and accountability in public debt, and this will contribute to inclusive and sustainable development. You too can add your voice to the governance process. To find out more, have a look at the Citizen’s Manifesto.