Beyond the deals: Are Kenya's trade agreements delivering real value?

Economic speak, the key highlight of this week was President William Ruto's tour in Europe.

By Patrick Muinde 2 months ago

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Mr President, take responsibility of Wednesday's deaths, destruction

The aftermath of what was meant to be a sacred day to remember and honour tens of young people senselessly killed during the Gen Z protest against Finance Bill 2024.

By Patrick Muinde 2 months ago

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A third of Sh4.2 trillion national budget will go to waste or stolen

The annual budget process is an official ritual that Kenyans cannot avoid courtesy of the country's established constitutional and democratic order.

By Patrick Muinde 3 months ago

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Why Treasury's appetite for paying failed projects can't be satisfied

The Nairobi-Nakuru -Mau Summit road contract, famously referred to as the Rironi-Mau Summit project, seems to have taken the same familiar and well-trodden path.

By Patrick Muinde 3 months ago

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Universal health care sabotaged by greed and ignorance of the law

One of the sad realities emerging from the 2025/26 budget proceedings in Parliament is that our budgets are prepared first and foremost to serve the big people in the Executive and Parliament.

By Patrick Muinde 4 months ago

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Economic reality doesn't align with narrative touted by Kenya Kwanza

2024 Economic Survey is probably the single most important economic document that presents key economic trends of the past five years.

By Patrick Muinde 4 months ago

Parliament can redeem its image by proving it isn't part of the Executive

Parliament must stamp its authority to ensure debt sustainability, compliance with approved debt ceilings and clear the cloud on odious debts.

By Patrick Muinde 4 months ago

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Ruto in China: A toast to future ties or strategic game against the West?

For those that may not be in the know, the Chinese people and culture emphasises on building a friendship as a precursor to their diplomatic, trade and social engagements.

By Patrick Muinde 4 months ago

US vs China trade war projected to drag global economy into recession

Easter season would be a time for businesses to reap big as consumers loosen their wallets to make merry as they reflect on the crucifixion of Christ.

By Patrick Muinde 5 months ago

US China trade war to drag global economy into recession

Chinese suppliers this week have been exposing the actual wholesale prices for world-renowned brands, appealing for US consumers to order their products directly from them online

By Patrick Muinde 5 months ago

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'Echoes of War' debacle has shred Ruto's creative economy agenda

The National Drama and Film Festivals would ordinarily pass as a thrilling season for art lovers and a moment for young people to demonstrate their raw and pure talent.

By Patrick Muinde 5 months ago

Trump's tariffs on Kenyan exports further weaken a wobbling economy

On Wednesday this week, I ventured into the once busy Buruburu shopping centre, nestled within Makadara and Embakasi West constituencies of Nairobi.

By Patrick Muinde 5 months ago

Mbadi sends mixed signals on the economy amid rising debt concerns

This past week, the Cabinet Secretary for National Treasury was caught publicly warning key stakeholders on the high external debt risks that the country is facing.

By Patrick Muinde 5 months ago

Constitutional amendments to save CDF expose MPs conflict of interest

The Constitutional (Amendment) Bill, 2025, that seeks to amend Article 204 of the Constitution to introduce three other funds has been published in Parliament.

By Patrick Muinde 5 months ago

Dear Mr President, tough times call you to reflect on your leadership

Ruto's comments indicate he has accurate information of what Kenyans trolling him on media think and feel about his leadership and state of the economy.

By Patrick Muinde 6 months ago

Executive should stop sideshows and address Auditor's sticky issues

In practice, the Auditor's opinion cannot be retracted nor re-explained in any other version, other than in the form in which it was issued.

By Patrick Muinde 6 months ago

Recurring audit queries expose MPs as weak link in public funds control

One of the emphatic issues raised by the auditor general is the lack of resolute action on audit queries that have consistently been recurring on her reports.

By Patrick Muinde 6 months ago

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Policy Statement promises nothing unusual in CS Mbadi's first Budget

There are no discernible drastic proposals in the entire document. The tone, structure and texture of the plan are similar to any other that has come before it.

By Patrick Muinde 6 months ago

SHIF's low contributor rate exposes deep flaws in the plan, needs rethink

SHIF will chronically be deprived of cash to meet the huge healthcare burden unless alternative sources of funding are found.

By Patrick Muinde 7 months ago

Trump's order on USAID operations hurts US and aid-recipient nations

The decision of the Donald Trump administration to possibly discontinue the operations of USAID has been swift and far-reaching.

By Patrick Muinde 7 months ago

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Why Kenya's response to the DRC crisis will define its regional power

For President Ruto, the stakes are particularly high as he is the current chair of the East African Community (EAC), of which the DRC is one of the newest member states.

By Patrick Muinde 7 months ago

Kenya must adapt to the new order as Trump effect spreads across nations

Despite being a controversial public figure both inside America and in the rest of the world, many world leaders have been quick to embrace him.

By Patrick Muinde 7 months ago

Survey reveals housing project has missed the mark, is doomed to fail

The survey indicates that initiation of programmes and projects without sufficient evidence, often driven by the private commercial interests of those in power and their associates.

By Patrick Muinde 8 months ago

What KNBS numbers reveal about economy in first 2 years under Ruto

The Kenya Kwanza administration has a narrow window of opportunity to restore its reputation on economic issues that matter most to ordinary citizens.

By Patrick Muinde 8 months ago

Social, economic and political shocks that lie ahead for Ruto's government

To kickstart economic activity in 2025, the executive must propose a simple, clear and actionable plan to inject adequate cash-flows into circulation.

By Patrick Muinde 8 months ago

Why Kenyans went on Christmas spending spree despite hard times

The fact that the majority of Kenyans appear to have enjoyed their Christmas season doesn't negate the reality of hard economic times.

By Patrick Muinde 8 months ago

Political greed sabotages devolution's progress, leaving citizens to pay price

It is troubling that none of the 47 counties can independently pay their employees' salaries without relying on the equitable share of national revenue-12 years into devolution

By Patrick Muinde 9 months ago

The disconnect between citizens and leadership points to a nation on edge

This stark contrast between the realities of taxpayers and those in power is what the president appears to interpret as resistance to everything he does.

By Patrick Muinde 9 months ago

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President pays price of populism as he struggles with tax, truth and trust

The tendency for presidents to lose their popularity shortly after winning an election is a well-documented phenomenon in political history.

By Patrick Muinde 9 months ago

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2027: A reckoning for broken promises and Kenya's political realities

While Kenya's political landscape remains fluid and rife with ruthless power players, a grassroots-driven movement could prove perilous to the established political order if it gains momentum.

By Patrick Muinde 9 months ago

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Adani fallout is a lesson on accountability and transparency fight

President William Ruto's State of the Nation Address on Thursday provided an opportunity to align the public's sentiments with his administration's scorecard.

By Patrick Muinde 9 months ago

State of the Nation: Adani saga overshadows Ruto's address

It is not enough for the president to just cancel the public engagements with Adani on the airport and powerline deal.

By Patrick Muinde 9 months ago

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Cabinet doublespeak of growth on paper but struggles on the ground

The swift and intense reactions to the Bishops' statement from various government agencies and paid State bloggers on social media suggest the critique struck a nerve at the heart of power.

By Patrick Muinde 10 months ago

The comeback of Trumpism: What it means for global geo-economics and Kenya

The world, including Kenya, has acknowledged and adapted to another Trump presidency, recognising the influence of US leadership due to its superpower status.

By Patrick Muinde 10 months ago

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Why Kenyans are feeling financial pinch despite cheery inflation data

When the government does buy from local businesses or contractors, payments are often delayed, adding to the billions of shillings held in pending bills.

By Patrick Muinde 10 months ago

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Who stands to reap the most as Adani tightens grip and economy flounders?

In defense of the Adani deals, the President argues that using private capital for public infrastructure is preferable to raising taxes or increasing public debt.

By Patrick Muinde 10 months ago

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Markets to remain calm after political storm over Gachagua's impeachment

Despite the unsettling silence from the House on the Hill, the events of the past two weeks have left no doubt that the die had long been cast.

By Patrick Muinde 11 months ago

DP Gachagua's impeachment exposes soft belly of economic banditry in the country

The intent of this article is not to discuss the merits or demerits of the politics of the impeachment, but to explore the implied economic consequences.

By Patrick Muinde 11 months ago

Hustlernomics has missed the mark and dims country's economic future

Two years into the KK administration, government revenues for August 2024 declined by an estimated 5.4 per cent compared to a similar period in 2023.

By Patrick Muinde 11 months ago

NG-CDF's fate sealed, time legislators kissed the fund goodbye

The MPs swift reaction to the fund's withdrawal betrays their role in the kitty, something they have been trying to distance themselves from in the many amendments!

By Patrick Muinde 11 months ago