As National Debt Soars, Kenyans Ask If Priorities Need to Shift

The country’s soaring national debt has sparked public discussion, with some Kenyans urging the government to slow down on the accumulation of foreign debt, which currently stands at more than 11 trillion shillings.

“Continuous borrowing for large infrastructure projects may project an image of a fast-growing economy but in the long run might expose future generations to debt saturation,” writes Kenyan journalist Juma Majanga, while urging the government to prioritize healthcare, education, and food security.

Majanga said debt servicing cost continues to take big chunks of the government’s revenue, with this year accounting for about 6 percent, “well above IMF IMF-recommended threshold of 30%”.