IMF, WB pushback, Thika's city dream and ugali prices

Good morning. Today we are covering fiscal pressures, local development and falling food costs. The IMF and World Bank fight against accusations of giving Kenya expensive and odious loans.?Meanwhile, the town of Thika's dreams of city status are getting a boost with planned major road projects and infrastructure upgrades. The Kenya National Highways Authority is investing billions in the transformation. On the food front, ugali lovers can celebrate as maize prices plummet thanks to a bumper harvest and cheaper imports. Happy reading!

Debt dilemmas: IMF, WB weigh in

Kenya's debt woes have sparked controversy as the World Bank and IMF face accusations of reckless lending. Amid a Sh10.5 trillion debt, audits reveal that billions of borrowed funds remain unaccounted for. Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah and Safina leader Jimmy Wanjigi argue that Kenya has overpaid its debts by more than Sh1 trillion. Audits call for a forensic audit of concessional loans, exposing project delays and poor implementation. The World Bank and IMF defend their practices, but questions remain about these loans' true cost and impact on Kenya's development.

Thika town's city dreams

Governor Kimani Wamatangi's push to make Thika the first city in Mt Kenya has gained momentum. The Kenya National Highways Authority (Kenha) has committed to constructing 61 kilometres of roads in and around Thika, backed by a Sh5 billion budget. These upgrades, along with a Sh756 million investment to improve urban and informal settlements, aim to ease traffic congestion and boost the town's infrastructure. Thika's bid for city status, backed by over Sh10 billion in projects, promises economic growth, improved social standards and increased property values. The public participation phase has been completed and the plans will now be submitted to the Assembly and Senate for approval.

Ugali lover's delight as maize prices drop

Ugali lovers can now savour lower prices as maize costs plummet, driven by last season's bumper harvest and cheap imports from East African Community (EAC) states. The price of a 90kg bag of maize has dropped from Sh4,600 to Sh2,200 in parts of the North Rift, while maize flour prices have plummeted from Sh180 to Sh120 per two-kilogramme packet. Farmers in the region are panic-selling to avoid losses. With Kenya expecting a bumper harvest of 70 million bags, maize prices could fall further, improving food security and bringing relief to consumers. Millers are calling on the government to standardise cesses and levies to maintain market stability.

COUNTY ROUNDUP

1. How blessings party ended in death at Nithi Bridge
2. Armed youths storm Kimana Police Station, steal 400 title deeds
3. Kakamega family: Our daughter was found at Kware dumpsite and now police will not let us bury her
4. Tragedy as man goes berserk, hacks four neighbours to death, lynched
5. Man jailed 20 years for terror links to Al-Shabaab, ISIS
6. Woman loses Sh1million case on HIV status disclosure for lack of witnesses

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