Amani National Congress leader Musalia Mudavadi has once again trashed economic models fronted by his competitors in the presidential race saying they won’t work.
Warning that Kenyans have a long way to go before getting out of the harsh economic times, the former Vice President said he has the answer to the turnaround the country needs.
“I want to be the candidate who tells Kenyans the truth that we are not in a bed of roses. It will get worse. This journey will be long,” Mudavadi said.
He dismissed the economic models championed by Deputy President William Ruto and ODM leader Raila Odinga saying they won’t put money on Kenyan’s pockets.
“Those promoting all these models should know that we are not in an economics class. We are dealing with real life,” Mudavadi said.
The ANC boss holds that the critical question in 2022 politics is how a candidate would apply practical aspects to revive the economy.
“The things we should ask ourselves are; is there corruption? Yes, there is. Do we have debts? Yes, we do,” he said in an interview with Radio Jambo Wednesday morning.
“There is a lot of propaganda. We have had Youth Fund and Women Enterprise Fund and then someone says he wants to look for money to add to constituencies. Where will you generate that money yet mama mbogas are heavily taxed?”
Musalia said he was best –placed to transform the economy citing his time as Finance minister in 1993.
“In 1993, when I was employed Finance Minister, our accounts had nothing. We only had the money for one month of petroleum supply.”
“I have been discussing the economy since 2015. Even when we were at Bomas, I made a rallying call that we take care of the economy,” he said.
The ANC leader urged Kenyans to back leaders with realistic plans to change their lives and one with practical steps to deal with debt.
“We must learn to cut our coat according to our size. What steps are we taking to deal with debt? We want an expanding economy to net new tax sources and economy that generates wealth,” he said.
Mudavadi said Kenyans must interrogate the politicians seeking their votes what steps they are taking to deal with debt.
“We want an expanding economy to net new tax sources and one that generates wealth,” he added.
Mudavadi says a turnaround would mean that leaders relook the budgetary process to deal with deficit financing issues.
The ANC leader called for renegotiation with lenders and for the government to instil borrowing policies that would be adhered to.
“The taxes we pay as Kenyans like the one on fuel is a sign that the government has borrowed too much. We are being told to expand agriculture but why tax animal feeds and agricultural produce?”
“Renegotiation and rescheduling of debts will be a must. We need loans repayable at one per cent for 30 years.”
Edited by D Tarus
