Businessman Jimi Wanjigi on Tuesday, May 23 dismissed claims that Azimio party leader Raila Odinga would have rescued Kenyans from the current struggling economy.
Addressing the media, the former presidential aspirant noted that the Ksh6,000 Raila promised to give to Kenyans monthly would have been insignificant with the current high cost of living.
"We are talking about economic policy. If you recall Baba's (Raila) manifesto, it was more welfare oriented, talking about giving people Ksh6,000," Wanjigi stated.
"I don't believe that a solution if that's the type of economic policy he was going to pursue," he added.
Wanjigi explained that it was unrealistic to give people Ksh6,000 every month regardless of whether or not they earned it.
"I believe in everyone pulling their weight," he added.
He noted that in the near future, the government will have a discussion on defaulting the multi-billion debt with China, World Bank, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and other lenders.
"We need to face this debt menace head-on and have a candid conversation. If we address the debt crisis, it could be a chance to rest Kenya," he stated.
Wanjigi called upon President William Ruto and his team of financial experts to discuss different terms with the lenders to avoid the impending disaster.
"The current government has resulted in overtaxing Kenyans to facilitate the debt and other operations. However, the more it taxes the less it will get from Kenyans," Wanjigi remarked.
During the campaign period, Raila explained that select Kenyans would receive the monthly stipend. The funds, under a social protection programme were to be distributed between 1.5 million households.
“I will deliver on the promise because it is possible. Many other countries are doing it and so can Kenya. I will ensure that every Kenyan who is poor gets the monthly stipend. “My administration will find ways to ensure that the program works," Raila vowed.
Ruto's administration was criticised for failing to honour promises and overtaxing Kenyans amid the skyrocketing prices of essential commodities, including maize flour, fuel, and sugar.
As of January 2023, Kenya's public debt stood at Ksh8.6 trillion. There has been a push by Treasury Cabinet Secretary Njuguna Ndung'u to raise the country's debt ceiling from Ksh10 trillion.
According to the CS, the ceiling should be the ratio of 55 per cent of the present Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
