Busia Senator and activist Okiya Omtatah has raised serious concerns about Kenya’s rising debt. He blames the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank for fueling the problem, saying they continue to lend money despite knowing that corruption and mismanagement are widespread.
According to him, as reported by Kenyans.co.ke, these institutions should not provide loans when there is clear evidence that public funds are being stolen.
Omtatah argues that ordinary Kenyans are suffering because of a debt crisis that does not benefit them. He claims that billions of shillings have been looted and hidden in offshore accounts, and he insists that global intelligence agencies are aware of these transactions.
He believes that those responsible for the theft of public funds should be held accountable, and he wants immediate action taken to stop further losses.
To address the issue, Omtatah has vowed to take legal action. He is demanding a full audit of Kenya’s Ksh10 trillion debt, saying that many of the loans were acquired without following the law.
The constitution requires that all external borrowing receive approval from parliament, but Omtatah claims this has not always been done. He wants a clear review of how much money was borrowed legally and how much was obtained fraudulently.
He is now calling on Kenyans, civil society organizations, and international partners to support his push for justice. His goal is to ensure that a public audit is conducted, fraudulent loans are exposed, and those responsible for reckless borrowing face prosecution.
He is also demanding that stolen funds be recovered and that a legal framework be put in place to prevent future financial mismanagement.
Omtatah warns that if there is no accountability, Kenya will remain trapped in a cycle of debt, leaving future generations to struggle under an unfair burden. He insists that those who looted public funds must return the money and face the law.
With Kenya’s debt standing at Ksh10.6 trillion as of July 2024, he believes that urgent action is necessary to protect the country’s economic future.
The senator’s concerns come at a time when Kenyans are already struggling with high taxes and tough economic conditions. Many citizens feel that they are being forced to pay for loans that were misused or stolen.
Omtatah’s fight for accountability could have a major impact on how the government manages public funds and how international lenders operate in Kenya.
If his legal challenge succeeds, it could expose corruption at the highest levels and force serious reforms in how the country handles its finances.
