Gatundu South Member of Parliament (MP) Moses Kuria, who has often sparked controversy, has revealed why his leadership style is one lonely journey.
According to the vocal legislator, he often takes a position that goes counter to populist views and public opinion whenever he is well versed with an issue.
The legislator noted how it feels whenever he is going against the grain: "It is a very lonely place to be. Yet in the fullness of time, one gets vindicated."
[caption caption="File image of Moses Kuria"]
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Kuria noted for instance how he opposed the capping of interest rates through an act of parliament in 2016 - which was a popular opinion back then.
"Using legislative caps as the remedy is not the solution. It looks good from far but it is actually far from good," Kuria had expressed back then.
"History has shown time and time again that once the doors of liberalisation and open markets are opened, trying to close them creates far more destructive and disruptive effects than the problem you would be attempting to solve," he elaborated.
The MP noted that today, 2 years down the line, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and individuals are crying since they cannot access credit from banks as a result of the Central Bank Rate (CBR) on maximum lending and minimum deposit rates.
"We can not grow our economy if we do not give SMEs credit to start or grow their businesses. It is true our banks have behaved like sharks and shylocks.
"The National Treasury is putting up amendments to control banks behaviour and curb usury," Kuria stated in regard to the legislative caps.
[caption caption="Enterprising Kenyans going about their business "]
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He had earlier on indicated that "liberalisation of economies ought to be accompanied by strong resolve and visionary leadership by governments and its institutions to mitigate the extremes invariably caused by free-market dynamics."
Kuria concluded that although the disparity in Kenya's deposit and lending rates is unsustainable and unacceptable, members of parliament will have to re-look the interest rates capping issue as it had greatly affected access to credit.
