Kenya is caught in a deepening debt crisis, with Professor X.N. Iraki claiming that 70 out of every 100 shillings collected by the government go toward debt repayment, leaving just 30 shillings for critical needs like healthcare, education, and infrastructure.

This dire situation, discussed alongside several hosts on a local radio station on Monday, May 26, 2025, stresses the urgent need for solutions to free Kenya from its financial dilemma.

The conversation revealed a stark reality: misappropriation of funds fuels public distrust. For instance, a 0.9-kilometre road project, initially budgeted at Ksh800 million, inexplicably surged to Ksh8 billion in official records.

Such discrepancies make it hard for Kenyans to feel patriotic about paying taxes, as Iraki noted.

Kibaki era praised economic growth

He emphasised that during former President Mwai Kibaki’s tenure, transparent governance and visible development- like better roads and stocked hospitals – sparked national pride, encouraging tax compliance and spurring economic growth.

Kibaki’s 2002 inaugural speech famously declared that “corruption will cease to be a way of life.”

According to Iraki, it was a promise that resonated with citizens and boosted the economy.

Today, however, corruption remains a major hurdle.

Iraki argued that seeing taxes misused discourages hard work and investment, pushing some Kenyans to consider emigrating.

“Once Kenyans see that their money is being wasted, then they will probably say if my money is being wasted or being eaten by some other people, why should I work very hard? And that’s why you are seeing a lot of Kenyans trying to leave the country,” he said.

Yet, with only a small percentage holding passports, most must stay and demand change. The solution, he suggested, lies in reducing corruption and ensuring taxes are used effectively to rebuild trust. If roads are fixed, hospitals are equipped, and school fees are paid on time, Kenyans would be more willing to contribute.

The discussion also touched on judicial inefficiencies. While presidential petitions are resolved in three weeks, other cases, including those involving corruption, can drag on for years.

Iraki questioned why the legal system couldn’t be reformed to expedite justice, holding corrupt officials accountable swiftly.