Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi, on Monday, April 21, held discussions with International Monetary Fund (IMF) officials following his visit to the United States.
The high-level meeting brought together senior officials from key IMF departments and centred on Kenya’s governance and anti-corruption frameworks.
During the discussions, the agenda included strengthening Kenyan government institutions, promoting transparency, and enhancing the efficiency of public financial management.
Addressing the delegation, CS Mbadi commended the Bretton Woods institution for its continued support of Kenya's government, adding that President Ruto's leadership was focused on fulfilling its economic agenda.
He called for sustained efforts in strengthening institutional capacity, legal frameworks, and accountability mechanisms to reinforce public trust and drive economic resilience.
Mbadi further noted that the IMF's governance diagnostic assessment on Kenya presented an opportunity to benchmark the country's governance practices against global standards, enabling targeted reforms and access to relevant technical assistance.
The Finance Minister also held talks with World Bank officials, where discussions focused on Kenya’s positive economic performance and promising fiscal outlook.
According to CS Mbadi, the discussions with the World Bank officers highlighted the upcoming pipeline projects that would drive sustainable development in Kenya.
Meanwhile, Mbadi's talks with the IMF officials came about six months after President Ruto's administration asked the Fund to conduct an assessment of corruption and governance issues.
In October last year, the government requested a governance diagnostic by the IMF officials to investigate whether corruption and governance vulnerabilities were draining revenue and creating problems in the country's finances.
"We have received a governance diagnostics request from the Kenyan authorities. The government of Kenya aims to strengthen its governance and anti-corruption policies," noted an IMF official.
"They intend to utilise these diagnostics to enhance public spending efficiency, boost competitiveness, foster growth, and inclusively reduce poverty.”
