Kenya: A Nation on the Brink, Bleeding from Within

The Real Plague: Grand Corruption, Not Climate or Global Markets

Kenya is on the verge of economic collapse—not because of global recessions or climate change, but because of a far more insidious plague: the open, unchecked theft of public funds. In the last 12 months alone, over KSh1 trillion has been siphoned from public coffers—an amount so staggering it rivals the GDP of some nations. This isn’t theft in the shadows; it is daylight robbery, conducted with impunity and arrogance.

Capital Flight: A New Level of Betrayal

Worse still, the stolen billions are not even reinvested in the country as before. They are swiftly funnelled into Dubai, the Cayman Islands, and South Africa, leaving the economy gasping for air. Meanwhile, another KSh1 trillion in pending bills has paralyzed businesses, thrown thousands into unemployment, and left essential services in a state of collapse. The youth, stripped of hope, are turning to crime, and the country stands at the precipice of social unrest.

The Theatre of the Absurd: Empty Promises and Delusions of 2027

Our country, Kenya, often feels like a theatre of the absurd and deluded. It’s a big joke when President Ruto and his government talk about seeking re-election in 2027 to be "given more time to finish projects." Finish what, exactly? The SHA project? The Adani deal? These are not development plans—they are controversial, opaque deals that reek of exploitation and insider interests. The very idea that those presiding over this scale of economic bleeding should be trusted with more time is both laughable and insulting.

A Look Back: How We Got Here

Once upon a time, during the regimes of Jomo Kenyatta and Daniel Arap Moi, looting was rampant, yes—but the stolen wealth at least circulated within the economy. It built grand hotels, funded powerful business empires, and ensured even those at the bottom got the occasional crumbs. The economy, despite the plunder, limped forward.

Then came Mwai Kibaki, a rare anomaly in Kenya’s leadership. He tightened the purse strings, stabilized the economy, and for a brief, shining moment, the country experienced what responsible governance could look like. Infrastructure projects flourished. GDP growth soared. Businesses thrived. But that stability, sadly, did not last.

Ruto’s Era: Economic Vampire State

Now, under President William Ruto, theft has reached a scale so insane that even seasoned looters are gasping in disbelief. It is no longer about stealing millions—or even billions—it is about bleeding the country dry with no regard for the consequences. The stolen funds are wired out of the country within hours. The public hospital you take your sick child to has no medicine? That money is in a Dubai bank account. The school with no desks? The funds now finance a villa in South Africa. The unfinished road project? That money bought luxury cars in the Cayman Islands.

The Aftermath: Crushing Debt, Crippled Economy

The result? An economy in freefall. The government, bloated from its own excess, now relies on crushing taxation and record borrowing. The national debt stands at an astronomical KSh10.8 trillion. Over 60% of the country’s revenue goes into debt servicing, leaving nothing for development or public welfare.

Small businesses—the backbone of Kenya’s economy—are suffocating under the weight of unpaid government contracts. Many have shut down, pushing thousands into unemployment. The job market is a wasteland, with skilled graduates hawking peanuts on the streets.

Desperation Breeds Danger: Youth in Revolt

But perhaps the most dangerous consequence is unfolding in the backstreets and slums. The youth left with no opportunities and no hope, are turning to crime—not out of malice, but survival. In Mombasa, over 50 armed youths recently attacked tourists in broad daylight—a chilling sign of the desperation brewing beneath the surface. This is no longer petty theft—it is organized survival. The phrase “the poor will eat the rich” is no longer metaphorical; it is becoming a lived reality.

Lip Service and Lies: The Bottom-Up Mirage

And while the streets simmer with anger, the government offers nothing but empty platitudes. Officials, their bank accounts bursting with stolen billions, continue to gaslight the public with hollow slogans like “bottom-up economic transformation.” But in reality, the only transformation happening is the mass exodus of stolen money to offshore accounts. As the economy withers, the leadership remains cocooned in luxury and delusion.

Countdown to Collapse

Kenya is hurtling toward irreversible economic and social collapse. The signs are everywhere. The streets are restless. The people are angry. The youth are preparing for war—not because they want to, but because they’ve been given no other option.

When a government loots its people into destitution, the only logical outcome is rebellion. The looters believe they are untouchable. But history has a way of settling accounts.

And make no mistake—the clock is ticking.

April 09, 2025