Ndindi Nyoro puts Ruto’s govt on spot over Kenya’s ballooning debt

File Image of Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro

Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro has raised alarm over Kenya’s rising public debt, warning that the country’s financial obligations are nearing unsustainable levels.

Speaking during a media interview on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, Nyoro claimed that Kenya’s debt is approaching Ksh13 trillion, adding that the figure could be higher when what he termed as “illegal borrowings” through securitisation are included.

“Currently, the Kenyan debt is going towards 13 trillion Kenyan shillings. If you add now the illegal borrowings of securitisation, then it means in the last four years this government has almost borrowed money that was borrowed in the last 10 years of President Uhuru Kenyatta,” Nyoro stated.

The outspoken lawmaker argued that the scale of borrowing under the current administration is unprecedented, suggesting it is nearly equivalent to the total debt accumulated during former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s ten-year tenure.

Nyoro also stressed the need for responsible leadership, warning that the country’s future is at risk if borrowing trends are not checked.

“It is important that we know, as the people who are currently leading. Even as you lead Kenya now, there is Kenya in the next few years, and Kenyans do not want to be put into this incompetent experimentation,” he said.

His remarks come amid growing concern over Kenya’s fiscal position, with Controller of Budget Margaret Nyakang’o cautioning that the country is slipping into a debt trap.

Appearing before the National Assembly’s Committee on Public Debt and Privatisation on Monday, March 30, 2026, Nyakang’o warned that costly borrowing and poor coordination in project implementation are worsening the situation.

She revealed that Kenya’s public debt had risen to Ksh12.29 trillion as of December 2025, representing 67.8 per cent of GDP—well above the legal threshold of 55 per cent.

“Half of debt payments are only financial costs rather than debt reduction. The principal figure is not reducing. We are just paying interest,” Nyakang’o told the committee.

She further noted that weak planning has contributed to the crisis, citing cases where funds are secured before projects are ready for implementation, leading to stalled initiatives such as Konza Technopolis and some Kenya Power projects dating back to 2017.

“We find ourselves in a debt trap where we sign for loans when we are not ready. Treasury mobilises funds without ensuring implementers are prepared,” she added.

The latest warnings add to mounting pressure on the government to rein in borrowing and implement reforms aimed at safeguarding the country’s financial stability.