Willis Otieno criticises Kenya’s rising debt, says Ruto’s administration lacks progressive direction
By Ndiritu Wanjiru, June 6, 2026Deputy Party Leader of the Safina Party, Willis Otieno, has raised sharp concerns over Kenya’s rising public debt, warning that the country’s current borrowing trajectory is unsustainable and increasingly detached from the realities faced by ordinary citizens.
In a statement on his X handle on Saturday, June 6, 2026, Otieno argued that before any meaningful development can be discussed, Kenya must first confront the scale and consequences of its public debt burden, much of which has been accumulated through extensive borrowing on behalf of citizens.
“We are talking about massive public borrowing done in the name of Kenyans, with little transparency, weak accountability, and questionable public participation,” Otieno said.
According to the Deputy Party Leader, billions of shillings have been borrowed over time, yet critical sectors continue to face significant strain. Hospitals remain underfunded, schools are overstretched, and unemployment among young people continues to rise, painting a stark contrast between national borrowing and lived realities.
“Billions were borrowed on our behalf, yet hospitals are still underfunded, schools are overstretched, and our young people remain unemployed,” Otieno added.
The lawyer further escalated criticism of the current administration led by President William Ruto, arguing that the government’s current policy direction cannot yield meaningful or progressive outcomes.
“I have stated this before, and I reiterate it with even greater conviction: there is nothing substantively progressive that can be reasonably expected to emerge from the current trajectory of the Ruto administration,” he said.
Growing concerns over the Finance Bill 2026
The remarks come amid ongoing public debate over Kenya’s fiscal position, with concerns increasingly being raised about how borrowed funds are being utilised and whether they are translating into tangible improvements in public services.
Otieno’s sentiments echo those of the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua, who has accused President William Ruto’s administration of prioritising luxury spending over critical sectors in the proposed 2026/27 budget.
Speaking during a press conference in Nairobi, where he critiqued the 2026/27 Budget Estimates and the Finance Bill 2026, Gachagua termed the two documents ‘a twin evil’, claiming they would increase the tax burden on ordinary citizens while failing to stimulate economic growth.
“Despite suffocating critical sectors, the government continues to increase allocations to non-essential expenditures. The Presidency and State House have continued to expand up to Ksh17 billion in this year’s budget,” Gachagua stated.