Former Principal Secretary Irungu Nyakera has challenged the government’s approach to managing the economy, arguing that Kenya’s fiscal troubles stem from excessive public spending rather than inadequate revenue collection.
In a statement, Nyakera said the country should shift its focus from raising more taxes to ensuring public resources are spent prudently.
“Kenya doesn’t have a revenue problem. Kenya has an expenditure and prioritisation problem. We will not solve our economic challenges until we fix how public money is spent,” he said.
Nyakera argued that improving accountability and prioritising essential government programmes would ease pressure on taxpayers while promoting sustainable economic growth.
His remarks come amid continued public debate over government expenditure, the country’s rising debt burden and the allocation of resources as Kenya seeks to stabilise its economy.
The former PS also reaffirmed his support for the “Wantam” political movement, suggesting that a change in leadership would be necessary to implement a different approach to managing public finances.
His comments are likely to fuel fresh debate over whether Kenya’s economic challenges require higher revenue collection or stricter control of government spending ahead of the 2027 General Election.
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