According to David Ndii, chair of the President’s Council of Economic Advisors, late President Mwai Kibaki mismanaged politics.
Ndii claims that President Kibaki failed to achieve political stability, which resulted in a shattered economy.
Speaking on Citizen TV, Ndii argued that the early years of Kibaki’s presidency were marred by “bravado,” which prevented the government from addressing pressing issues.
“I had a ringside seat and I watched Kibaki mismanage politics from 2003 to 2005. All that we did economically came to note in 2007. It was foreseeable,” said Ndii.
“The lesson I learned is that the first duty of a government is political stability.”
Economist Ndii added that President Kibaki’s tenure is to blame for Kenya’s current economic crisis.
Ndii went on to say that if the country’s economic situation had been addressed more stringently, it would not be in the state it is now.
“What the Kibaki administration needed to do in 2003 was not much. What we had is bravado and people just not [being] mature about the situation we are facing. I think we are in a situation that is not dissimilar,” he said.
While admitting that some excesses must be eliminated, Ndii proposes that the government begin looking for ways to properly manage government spending.
“When we said that we have come in during a very severe financial crisis and we have to bite the bullet, I don’t think the point had gotten home,” he said.
“We have to sober up as a country but I can tell you that this has also helped because I will be the first one to admit that there are some excesses we can do without.”
This comes amid a delay in paying civil servants’ salaries as the government admits to financial difficulties.
According to Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, some government loans matured last week, forcing the government to pay the debt, leaving the government with no money to pay civil servants.
“It is true we are having challenges in paying salaries, giving money to governors. Because the handshake gov’t ripped this country, they borrowed money left right and centre. Because we are a responsible government, we have to pay this money,” he said.
“What we collected the last two weeks was sufficient to pay the loans. What we are collecting this week will pay salaries and other requirements,” he added.
