Presidential aspirant and Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah on Saturday, November 30, called out President William Ruto for congratulating Tanzania for surpassing Kenya in trade within the East African Community (EAC).
Terming the move as 'deeply concerning,' Omtatah gave the president some pointers on how to revive Kenya's economy instead.
"President Ruto’s commendation of Tanzania for overtaking Kenya in trade within East Africa is deeply concerning," Omtatah said in a statement.
"Rather than celebrating our neighbor’s growth, this statement inadvertently highlights the failure of Kenya’s current policies to sustain its regional economic leadership."
The Senator went on to state that Kenya's declining economy was not accidental and stemmed from key decisions made by President Ruto including burdensome taxation, unpredictable business policies, and widespread corruption.
"These factors have driven investors across the border, leading to increased unemployment, reduced tax revenues, and a sharp decline in Kenyan exports," he opined.
"The cracks caused by these ill-conceived policies are weakening Kenya’s economic foundation, making it harder for businesses to thrive and for citizens to sustain their livelihoods."
Omtatah noted that significant changes needed to be made in President Ruto’s administration for Kenya's economy to replenish.
"A thriving economy cannot be built on over-taxation, corruption, and disruptive governance. It requires transparency, consistent policies, and a business-friendly environment that inspires confidence among investors and citizens alike," he stated.
In his parting shot, he acknowledged that Kenya had the potential to reclaim its position as the region's powerhouse only if decisive actions were taken to address the critical challenges he had highlighted.
Omtatah made these remarks a few hours after President Ruto congratulated Tanzania in his address after he was appointed to lead the EAC taking over from his South Sudan counterpart Salva Kiir.
"Kenya was the leading country in terms of goods and services that we trade in East Africa. Today, Tanzania has overtaken Kenya and I must commend Tanzania for the progress they are making, the numbers are growing of trade between our countries," he said.
“As the numbers grow, different countries are selling more...different products and services within our common market. It is what it is and that is why we must work on this consistently together."
