Willis Otieno: Economy must work for every Kenyan, not a privileged few
By Sharon Atieno, July 9, 2026Lawyer Willis Otieno has called for a fundamental shift in Kenya’s national conversation, arguing that economic transformation not divisive politics should be the country’s overriding priority.
In a statement shared on his X account on Thursday, July 9,2026, Otieno said Kenyans have grown weary of political rhetoric and are increasingly demanding practical solutions to the country’s economic challenges, including unemployment, the high cost of living and widening inequality.
He maintained that the economy must work for every Kenyan, not a privileged few, saying the country’s future depends on policies that create jobs, expand opportunities and restore shared prosperity.
Call for inclusive economic reforms
According to Otieno, the message emerging from citizens across the country is that leaders should prioritise fixing the economy instead of sustaining systems that benefit only a small section of society.
“Economic transformation is the defining priority of our time. Kenyans have moved beyond empty political rhetoric and divisive politics,” Otieno stated.
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He added that Kenya requires policies that lower the cost of living while ensuring every citizen has an equal opportunity to participate in economic growth.
“The future belongs to policies that create jobs, expand opportunity, lower the cost of living and restore shared prosperity. Kenya needs an economy that works for every citizen, not just a handful of economic beneficiaries,” he said.
Economy takes centre stage
Otieno’s remarks come amid growing debate on the country’s economic direction ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Earlier this week, Safina Party leader Jimi Wanjigi argued that Kenya’s economy not President William Ruto is the country’s biggest challenge, insisting that leadership change alone would not solve the nation’s problems.
Wanjigi said his political agenda would focus on tackling the public debt burden and introducing practical economic reforms capable of delivering sustainable growth.
Debt accountability remains key
Otieno has consistently pushed for greater transparency in public borrowing, previously calling for a comprehensive audit of Kenya’s debt and insisting that citizens should not shoulder liabilities acquired through unlawful or opaque processes.
He has argued that public borrowing must benefit ordinary Kenyans rather than enrich a few individuals through corruption and inflated contracts.
His latest remarks reinforce Safina Party’s growing emphasis on economic recovery, job creation and fiscal accountability as key pillars of its policy agenda ahead of the 2027 elections, with the party seeking to place bread-and-butter issues at the centre of the national political discourse.