Kenya asks IMF to review corruption issues after Western push
Kenya has struggled with debt that has reached precarious
levels in recent years, and its withdrawal
of proposed tax hikes earlier this year - following deadly
protests - complicated its efforts to unlock a $600 (Ksh.77.4 billion) million
disbursement from the IMF.
Countries themselves must request the so-called
"governance diagnostic", which investigates whether corruption and
governance vulnerabilities are draining revenue or creating other problems in
state finances.
“We have received a governance diagnostics request from the
authorities," an IMF spokesperson said in response to written questions.
"The government of Kenya aims to strengthen its
governance and anti-corruption policies. They intend to utilize these
diagnostics to enhance public spending efficiency, boost competitiveness,
foster growth, and reduce poverty in an inclusive manner.”
One source familiar with the situation said the assessment,
while not directly linked to the disbursement, would be a show of goodwill in
the country's efforts to get its finances back on track.
Perceived government waste and corruption were
a core driver of mass demonstrations in June that forced President William Ruto
to withdraw $2.7 billion in planned tax increases.
Kenya's finance ministry did not respond to requests for
comment.
Reuters on Tuesday first reported that Western nations were
pushing for the IMF
assessment.
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