Nyali Member of Parliament (MP) Mohammed Ali has criticized United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Secretary General Omar Hassan over recent remarks on loans and development.
In a strongly-worded statement issued on Friday, September 12, Ali denounced Hassan Omar’s comments as misguided and warned of their long-term consequences for Kenya’s fiscal health.
“Unbelievable Remarks by the so-called Secretary General of a Party we once held high hopes for!” Ali stated. “This is not the Politics of Economy, my friend, this is sheer Politics of Power. Kenyans Today and Their Generations to Come Will Remember You For It, and History Will Not Treat You Kindly. Power That’s Blind To People’s Plight is Bound To Diminish When People Rise. Maskini akipata Matako hulia Mbwata!”
The criticism stems from Hassan Omar’s recent public statements defending the government’s borrowing strategy, particularly in response to concerns raised by Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro about Kenya’s mounting debt burden.
Speaking at a public forum, Hassan Omar dismissed criticism of the government’s loan acquisition approach, noting that several stalled projects were now being worked on.
“All roads were halted. There was no development. Now they are being worked on. Then you hear Ndindi Nyoro saying we are taking too many loans.”
The UDA Secretary General further defended the borrowing strategy, adding that they also needed to develop their region.
“There are people who took loans and built one side of Kenya. So we will take loans and develop our side.”
Hassan Omar appeared to suggest that criticism of current borrowing was motivated by political considerations, specifically targeting former Budget Committee Chairperson Ndindi Nyoro.
“How come when it’s our turn for development, Ndindi now wants to scrutinize the loan take? This is because we removed him as the Budget Committee Chairperson.” He stated. “As long as we are in government, we will develop our side. Just because the development has started in Turkana, Kisii, and other places, you have an issue with loans taken for development. We will take these loans, and your children and our children will pay them together.”
The controversy follows sustained criticism from Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro, who has raised alarm over the government’s increasing dependence on alternative borrowing mechanisms.
Speaking at a business expo in Nyeri County, Nyoro warned that the government’s use of securitisation amounts to disguised borrowing that could burden future generations.
The former Budget Committee Chairperson questioned the wisdom of using fuel levies and road maintenance funds as collateral for monthly borrowing of up to KSh 100 billion.
He argued that such financial strategies avoid addressing underlying fiscal management problems while creating long-term obligations without proper parliamentary oversight.
Nyoro’s concerns are underscored by Kenya’s current public debt situation, over KSh 12.1 trillion.
The MP has particularly criticized securitised bonds and deals backed by road levies, arguing they lock Kenya into financial commitments through inadequate transparency mechanisms.
