• Aden Duale cautioned the Budget Committee chair Kani Kega and Majority leader Amos Kimunya against raising the country's debt ceiling.
• Mudavadi appealed to the National Treasury CS Ukur Yatani not to incur unnecessary debts at the tail end of the current administration's term.
Image: DPPS
Kenya Kwanza alliance leaders led by Deputy President William Ruto have asked the National Treasury not to borrow funds anymore.
The team said that the country has surpassed the Sh9 trillion borrowing limit, a situation they said puts the country at risk.
Ruto asked those at the National Treasury to budget within the country's income to avoid overburdening taxpayers with debts.
The DP said the country could no longer service more debts as it is already paying Sh1 trillion every year.
"We want to plan our budget in line with our income," Ruto said.
Also, the DP dismissed media reports that budget proposals fronted by the Kenya Kwanza alliance were initiation of competition against President Uhuru Kenyatta.
He said the budget being discussed will affect the next government and not the current one.
"We have started planning the budget that will help up in the next government. There is no contest between us and the President," Ruto said.
Other leaders included Musalia Mudavadi (ANC), Moses Wetangula (Ford Kenya), MPs Kimani Ichungwa (Kikuyu), Gathoni Wa Muchomba (Kiambu), James Wamacukuru (Kabete), Njuguna Wanjiku (Kiambaa), Charles Njagua (Starehe), Rigathi Gachagua (Mathira), Alice Wahome (Kandara), Ndindi Nyoro (Kiharu), Aden Duale (Garissa), former Starehe MP Margaret Wanjiru and former Kiambu governor Ferdinand Waititu.
Duale cautioned the Budget Committee chair Kani Kega and Majority leader Amos Kimunya against raising the country's debt ceiling.
The Garissa Township MP urged the committee to emulate former President Daniel Moi and President Mwai Kibaki's governments that left the country with debts of Sh600 billion and Sh1.8 trillion respectively.
"Today we have a debt of 11 trillion. We cannot accept more debts," Duale said.
He added that it was regrettable that the country borrows to pay salaries and debts instead of development.
Mudavadi appealed to the National Treasury CS Ukur Yatani not to incur unnecessary debts at the tail end of the current administration's term.
"They should not commit Kenyans on anything that will put them into trouble," Mudavadi said.
The ANC leader asked President Uhuru Kenyatta to be careful and ensure rogue officials do not approve unlawful loans.
Wetangula called on legislators not to approve more debts.
"We cannot allow an outgoing government to take more loans on behalf of our country," Wetangula said.
The Ford Kenya party leader warned foreign lenders not to offer more loans to the outgoing administration.
Ndindi said the country was better off investing in SMEs to increase taxable incomes instead of borrowing.
"Let us stop borrowing and focus on growing our economy so that we can be self-reliant.”
Gachagua urged the president to ensure his administration does not exceed the current debt figures that have already hit the ceiling.
"You are leaving us with a huge debt that we will have to pay. However, we ask that you do not borrow more loans.”
The MPs said they will support the Sh50 billion SMEs fund aimed at cushioning small traders.
"We have set aside Sh50 billion to help small traders," Ichung'wa said.