Former Principal Secretary Irungu Nyakera has argued that Kenya’s economic difficulties are rooted in government spending and poor prioritisation rather than a lack of revenue.
In a statement shared on social media, Nyakera maintained that the country collects sufficient revenue but continues to struggle because of how public funds are allocated and utilised.
“As I have always said, Kenya doesn’t have a revenue problem. Kenya has an expenditure and prioritisation problem. We will not solve our economic challenges until we fix how public money is spent,” he said.
Nyakera called for greater fiscal discipline and prudent management of public resources, saying reforms in government expenditure should take precedence over efforts to increase tax collections.
His remarks come at a time when the government continues to face pressure to balance public spending with growing debt obligations while maintaining essential services and development programmes.
Nyakera concluded his statement by reaffirming his political position, declaring, “That’s why it’s WANTAM for me,” a slogan associated with calls for political change ahead of the 2027 General Election.
