Deputy President William Ruto has cautioned President Uhuru Kenyatta’s government against borrowing money ahead of the August 9 General Election.
Speaking in Kiambu County on Friday, February 18, during the Kenya Kwanza vote-hunting mission, DP Ruto told the president to stop piling more debts on Kenyans.
The second in command advised the National Treasury to plan within the existing revenues saying the country has enough debts already.
“Those in Treasury should not overburden Kenyans with borrowing. The existing debt is enough. Let us now plan our budget with the money we have,” Ruto said.
The deputy president directed his troops in parliament not to approve any budget that is designed to increase the borrowing limit of the country.
At the same time, DP Ruto defended the budgetary amendments by Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung’wah that proposals among other things the reduction of President Uhuru’s allocations.
“Uhuru is retiring and we respect him. The budget amendments where we have proposed Sh50 billion for hustlers and more money for counties are for the next government,” he said.
On his part, ANC leader Musalia Mudavadi warned the Treasury Cabinet Secretary Ukur Yatani that he will be held personally liable for the ballooning public debt.
“Yatani, you will be haunted, do not burden Kenyans with debts, especially during the last months of President Uhuru’s administration,” Mudavadi said.
Speaking at the same rally, Kiharu MP, Ndindi Nyoro, castigated the National Treasury for borrowing beyond the ceiling set out by the National Assembly and the Senate.
“This regime has borrowed even beyond the limits set by the parliament. The parliament of Kenya has set the limit of 9 trillion but this government has borrowed Ksh 12 trillion,” Nyoro said.