Salasya responds to Kindiki's economic growth claims

By Robert Mutasi

The economic outlook from senior government officials has drawn heated debate with the public, following the Deputy President Kithure Kindiki's claims that Kenya's macroeconomic conditions have dramatically improved.

In the address in Mwatate, Taita Taveta County, November 10, 2024, he highlighted that inflation had gone down to 2.7%, reportedly the lowest level in 17 years.

He said that was a testament to the government's commitment to transformative policies under the leadership of President William Ruto, highlighting strides in taming economic challenges and increasing household incomes.

This relatively positive assessment, however, has been received with a lot of doubt, especially from opposition voices and ordinary Kenyans who feel the financial squeeze.

Mumias East MP Peter Salasya took to social media on Tuesday, November 12, to question the authenticity of these claims and express his frustration over the cost of living. In a post on his verified social media handle, Salasya responded with starkly contrasting observations: "They said the cost of living has come down and inflation came down from 9% to 2%. When they came into power, a bag of concrete was 700, now it is 900. The price of steel has doubled. I don't know where the 2,500 they mention can be found. As a farmer, I buy it for 5,400 per bag. We can't live by lies throughout. Let's accept the KK government is failing," Salasya declared.

He also pointed out that the fuel price stood at 154 shillings a litre at the advent of this regime but had risen to 180 shillings, implying that Kenyans were being conned.

Salasya's sentiments echo those of the many Kenyans who have been struggling to make ends meet due to increased prices of most essential commodities and services despite favorable inflation rates.

His critique is representative of a larger issue, which is the continued disconnection of macro figures from what ordinary people experience.

While statistical data from official sources point to an easing inflation, construction material costs, agricultural inputs, and fuel tell a different story, leaving many to wonder why such reductions have not translated into reduced household expenses.

The government insists that its policies are gradually bringing about economic resilience and stability. Recently, in Taita Taveta, the Deputy President Kindiki singled out hard-won achievements credited to strategic economic reforms.

However, Salasya's sharp retort has questioned the real effect of such measures on the populace.

With the debate raging on, on the actual state of the economy, one discrepancy after the other between official statistics and people's sentiments keeps pushing the discourse toward demands for more honesty and comprehensive solutions to the high cost of living, despite improvements.