The face of Kenya’s economic bureaucracy today, personified by the now infamous David Ndii, reveals a disheartening shift away from the visionary leadership that once steered the nation toward prosperity. Under Ndii’s watch, the economic council, which he heads, has abandoned ingenuity for expediency, focusing narrowly on taxation as the chief means of revenue generation.
Ndii, whose early reputation was built on sharp economic analysis and a commitment to speaking truth to power, now heads a council that appears alarmingly out of touch. His tweets, often dismissive or provocative, trivialise the gravity of Kenya’s current economic plight, creating the impression that policy leadership has lost both seriousness and sensitivity. Rather than fostering public trust or laying out a coherent economic vision, Ndii’s public commentary only serves to alienate a frustrated populace that is desperately looking for solutions beyond endless taxation.
Contrast this with the bold, transformative policies of former President Mwai Kibaki. When Kibaki took office, he inherited an economy weakened by 24 years of stagnation and mismanagement under President Daniel Moi. Yet, rather than relying on tax hikes, Kibaki’s administration implemented growth-oriented policies that sparked a remarkable economic turnaround. Kibaki’s approach was grounded in enabling Kenyans, not burdening them.
He introduced measures to spur entrepreneurship, incentivise local industries, and invest in infrastructure, creating a business-friendly environment that encouraged both local and foreign investment. Under Kibaki’s leadership, the private sector was empowered, and small businesses were seen as vital engines of growth rather than easy sources of government revenue. His administration focused on stimulating economic activity across sectors, which, in turn, broadened the tax base naturally as more Kenyans entered the formal economy and created wealth.
Today’s economic council seems more interested in fiscal extraction than in genuine economic development. Unlike Kibaki’s team, which encouraged Kenyans to invest, build and grow, the current council has adopted a policy framework that deters investment and chokes the potential of the very citizens they are meant to serve.
Under Kibaki, infrastructure projects expanded, access to education increased, and Kenya emerged as a regional economic powerhouse. Ndii’s economic council has pushed the country into a cycle of dependency, a policy that places the burden squarely on the shoulders of ordinary Kenyans while doing little to stimulate sustainable economic activity.
Kenya needs an economic vision grounded in growth to avoid the trap of a bloated and inept bureaucracy. Ndii and his council should take a page from Kibaki’s playbook and prioritise policies that support the private sector, attract investment and drive job creation. Kenya’s leadership risks undoing the hard-won gains of previous administrations and cementing its legacy as a government that fails to lead. The Kenyan people deserve a government that governs with integrity, creativity and an unwavering commitment to their welfare — not one that mistakes tax revenue for true prosperity.
A new vision for Kenya would pivot to policies that drive genuine economic growth through innovation, productivity and value creation. Kenya could establish itself as a regional leader in agribusiness by supporting climate-smart agriculture and equipping farmers with access to financing and technology. This would reduce food insecurity, boost exports and foster self-reliant communities, positioning agriculture as a vital economic engine.
Manufacturing should also be prioritised, with incentives for local production to reduce reliance on imports, create skilled jobs and stabilise prices. By developing industrial parks and supporting local businesses, Kenya could diversify its economy and shield itself from global market shocks, enhancing self-sufficiency and competitiveness.
— The writer is a PhD student in International Relations-
