Lawyer Willis Otieno has urged the Kenyan government to suspend and audit the nation’s debt, describing much of it as illegitimate and accumulated without public approval.
Speaking on national economic governance, Otieno highlighted that current debt obligations limit funding for critical sectors such as health, education, and youth employment.
According to Otieno, Kenya’s borrowing under the administrations of former President Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto has lacked transparency, with little to no measurable benefits delivered to the public.
“Every shilling we pay to these lenders is a shilling diverted from hospitals, schools, counties, and national development,” he said.
Kenya’s debt has been a growing concern for economists and lawmakers.
The country’s public debt rose sharply over the past decade, partly due to infrastructure projects and emergency financing.
While some of these loans have funded major projects such as roads, energy facilities, and ports, critics argue that mismanagement, corruption, and high interest payments have limited their impact.
Otieno emphasized that the first step toward economic independence is challenging obligations incurred under questionable circumstances.
“Economic liberation begins with refusing to honour the debts of thieves. That is the first act of sovereignty, and the first step toward a prosperous, dignified, and genuinely independent Kenya,” he stated.
The lawyer’s comments come amid ongoing debates over Kenya’s fiscal management and rising taxation.
Public discussions have intensified on social media and in parliamentary committees about whether the government can continue servicing high-interest loans while social services remain underfunded.
While the Ministry of Finance has previously defended Kenya’s borrowing as necessary for economic growth and infrastructure development, Otieno’s call adds to pressure for greater scrutiny and accountability.