Fixing the economy is not like brewing coffee, give us time - Mudavadi tells Kenyans

Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has urged Kenyans to brace themselves for tougher economic times ahead, and not expect the government to fix the state of the economy in a short period.

Mudavadi, who was speaking in Nyandarua during the burial of Mau Mau heroine Mukami Kimathi, said the cost of living turnaround is not like “brewing an instant coffee” hence Kenyans should give the government time to fix the economic turmoil being experienced by many people.

“It is going to be a challenge to get our country back on the track. I said, and I will repeat that reviving Kenya's economy is not like brewing instant coffee in the morning. Revival of Kenya's economy will take time but it requires us to be united,” he said.

The Prime Cabinet Secretary also blamed former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s government for battering the economy by over borrowing to pay old debt, thereby sinking the country further into debt repayment crisis.

“We did not suddenly get here. We got into this hole because the previous administration recklessly borrowed money and left Kenyans with the burden. I said that over borrowing will deeply sink us into a hole and I was ignored,” Mudavadi stated.

He also urged opposition leaders led by Raila Odinga to give the government time to implement its manifesto and not criticise just for the sake of it.

“It’s time to close ranks and move forward in lowering the cost of living for all Kenyans. We cannot all be in the same basket. We must criticise and correct each other, but let us do it from a position of truth and not a position of just politicking,” added the Prime CS.

Mudavadi’s remarks come at a time a majority of Kenyans are grappling with the high cost of living occasioned by the prolonged drought and dollar shortage, thereby making the importation of commodities difficult.

Prices of basic foodstuffs like maize flour and sugar have all risen by 25.6% and 18.4% respectively, according to the latest Kenyan National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) report.

A recent Infotrak poll further indicated that the high cost of living ranks at 72% as the most critical concern that Kenyans would like the government to address urgently.