Former Budget and Appropriations Committee Chair Ndindi Nyoro has raised alarm over Kenya’s fiscal direction, warning that the proposed Sh 4.8 trillion budget risks deepening the country’s already mounting debt burden.
Nyoro cautioned that unless urgent corrective measures are taken, Kenya could be headed towards a serious financial crisis driven by sustained deficit spending and overreliance on borrowing.
He described the national debt as one of the most pressing challenges facing the country, noting that successive budgets continue to allocate funds that the government does not have, forcing it to borrow to bridge the gap.
According to Nyoro, Kenya’s debt has surged dramatically from about Sh 8.7 trillion to nearly Sh 30 trillion. However, he argued that the scale of development across the country does not reflect the magnitude of this borrowing.
“When we borrow, we should be seeing equivalent development and investment that improves the lives of Kenyans,” he said.
He questioned the value Kenyans are getting from the loans, emphasizing that borrowed funds should primarily support development projects that generate long-term economic returns.
Nyoro expressed concern that a significant portion of the borrowed funds is being used to finance recurrent expenditure rather than productive investments, a move he warned could have long-term consequences.
“If we borrow money and spend it on recurrent expenses instead of investment, we are burdening future generations who will have to pay for debts whose benefits they never received,” he stated.
He further linked rising government expenditure to political cycles, arguing that spending typically increases as elections approach, with leaders seeking to demonstrate visible development.
“As elections approach, there is always an escalation of spending because leaders want to be seen as doing things. When there is no money, they become reckless and borrow more, pushing the burden to others who will pay later,” Nyoro said.
Nyoro also alleged that election periods often come with increased allocations to powerful offices through discretionary and confidential budget lines, which he suggested may be used for campaign-related activities.
He maintained that effective governance, not excessive spending, is the most credible campaign strategy.
“There is no better campaign than doing the work you were elected to do. The campaign is not to budget money to bribe Kenyans. The campaign is to provide quality services, improve education, create opportunities and deliver development,” he said.
The former committee chair also questioned the sharp increase in funding to certain senior government offices, noting that some budgets have risen from approximately Sh 4.5 billion to nearly Sh 20 billion. He argued that such allocations should be reviewed and redirected to priority sectors.
Nyoro identified education as one of the most underfunded areas, pointing to a capitation deficit of nearly Sh 40 billion in schools and the need to fully fund the confirmation and employment of over 44,000 teachers.
The lawmaker has called for a shift in spending priorities, urging the government to channel resources towards sectors that directly impact citizens, including education, healthcare, agriculture, and job creation.
Nyoro has urged the government to explore alternative revenue streams, reduce reliance on borrowing, and ensure prudent use of public funds warning that failure to address the growing debt burden could undermine Kenya’s long-term economic stability and leave future generations carrying an unsustainable financial load.
