Lawyer and political commentator Willis Otieno has raised questions over the recent stability of the Kenyan shilling, describing the situation as suspicious and potentially staged to create a false sense of economic strength.

In a post shared on X on Thursday, October 30, 2025, Otieno wondered how the local currency has managed to hold steady despite the country’s worsening financial situation, massive debt, and weak export performance.

His remarks come at a time when the shilling has been trading more steadily after months of sharp decline against major global currencies.

“How is it that the shilling has ‘miraculously’ stabilised when every economic indicator points to collapse? Are we witnessing fiscal discipline or currency theatre?” he asked.

Otieno suggested that the current calm in the currency market might not be the result of real economic improvement, but rather the outcome of artificial interventions to maintain an image of stability ahead of the 2027 General Election.

“Is this stability genuine, or are we just burning through reserves and using borrowed dollars to keep up appearances before 2027?” he added.

There has been public curiosity about the government’s handling of the economy, especially amid concerns that the cost of living remains high even as the shilling appears stable.

Otieno further questioned how Kenya could sustain a strong currency while its economic fundamentals continue to weaken.

“How does a country drowning in debt, with shrinking exports and record import bills, maintain a steady shilling without divine intervention or deliberate manipulation?” he posed.

Many Kenyans have been echoing similar concerns about whether the country’s economic stability is genuine or merely cosmetic. The post adds to the growing discourse around fiscal transparency, monetary policy, and how far the government is willing to go to project confidence in an economy under pressure.