This archive report was first published on 29 October 2019.
President Uhuru Kenyatta's globe-trotting has sparked concerns about the country's diplomatic, economic, and strategic interests. His recent Japan and Russia tours were followed by another foreign trip, leaving many wondering if he's escaping problems back home.
Kenya is on the verge of economic meltdown, with Acting National Treasury Cabinet Secretary Ukur Yattani revealing the scale of rot left by his predecessor, Henry Rotich, who faced criminal charges over the Arror and Kimwarer dam scandals.
Mr. Yattani has been candid with MPs, seeking support for emergency measures to restore fiscal sanity. His priorities include scaling down a budget pegged on a political wish list and unraveling a national debt portfolio that's a scandal.
Parliamentarians from both sides of the aisle must take blame for failing in their oversight duties and approving unrealistic budget proposals without question. However, some members are beginning to understand how they were blindsided by crooked Treasury mandarins and are prepared to back tough measures to get the economy back on track.
What's most shocking is that nobody at the Treasury seems to have exact figures for the national debt. It's emerging that government borrowing reflects corruption on an industrial scale, making the Goldenberg and Anglo Leasing scandals look puny.
President Kenyatta must stay home long enough to ensure the sternest possible measures against officials liable for economic sabotage. They must face criminal charges and repay, tenfold, every shilling lost through their dealings.
Ultimately, the President must take measures to ensure mismanagement and theft that have become the trademark of his regime are stopped. His much-hyped war against corruption has shown more bark than bite, with no conviction of a substantial economic criminal.
