Atwoli sound warning to CS Mbadi over IMF conditions

By Peter Ochieng

Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU-K) Secretary General Francis Atwoli, has sounded a warning to John Mbadi, the new Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Treasury.

Atwoli in a statement on Wednesday, warned the former Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) national chairman against 'blind implementation' of International Monetary Fund (IMF) conditions, directives and policies on matters concerning the country's economy.

Atwoli said if the new Sharrif at town at the Treasury implements IMF conditions without close reflection, it may end up having a negative impact on the country's economy.

"It is the position of COTU (K) that if the new National Treasury Cabinet Secretary adopts a rigid approach and implements 100% of the IMF’s economic and finance adjustments advice, then such an approach will not succeed," said the long serving COTU SG.

"We call upon the new National Treasury Cabinet Secretary to approach IMF conditionalities cautiously and with a deep understanding of their potential impact on ordinary Kenyans. In fact, the far we stay away from the IMF and its accomplices, the better for this country."

The advice given by the IMF, Atwoli said, if followed without adjustment to local contexts and needs, ultimately results in unrest, turmoil and thus social upheavals.

IMF was blamed for having a hand in the punitive Finance Bill 2024, which led to weeks of unrest as youthful protesters alias Gen-Z and millennials ganged up against the piece of legislation.

President William Ruto was forced to withdraw the Bill in its entirety, as one of the measures aimed at containing the demonstrations.

As an opposition legislature, Mbadi was quoted severally opposition IMF's economic conditions in the country.

He was among new Cabinet Secretaries sworn-in last week.

Atwoli's strong worded statement against IMF came shortly after CS Mbadi met with the IMF Representative in Kenya, Selim Cakir.