Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro has warned that Kenya’s economy is underperforming compared to its East African neighbours. Speaking on September 15, 2025, he noted that Rwanda recorded 8.9% growth, Uganda 6.1%, and Tanzania 5.5%, with Kenya falling behind all three. He said the country has the potential to lead but is instead “last among its neighbours.”

Nyoro further raised alarm over the government’s rising borrowing, revealing that Kenya takes on Ksh 3.4 billion daily, pushing the national debt beyond Ksh 12.1 trillion. He cautioned that Kenya risks the fate of Ghana and Sri Lanka, which plunged into debt crises after unsustainable borrowing.

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Reports from international lenders present a mixed picture. The World Bank projects growth to slow to 5.0% in 2024 amid heavy debt servicing and tight fiscal space, while the African Development Bank forecasts a rise to 5.6% in 2025 if fiscal consolidation is maintained. The National Treasury remains upbeat, projecting a rebound to 5.3% in 2025–2026 under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), citing improved agriculture, easing inflation, and a stronger shilling.

President William Ruto has defended his administration, insisting Kenya has avoided a debt crisis and grown into Africa’s sixth-largest economy. He credited disciplined planning for stabilising the shilling and restoring investor confidence, saying the country is on track for transformation similar to Singapore’s rise.

Nyoro’s concerns point to the widening gap between official optimism and economic performance, underscoring the need for fiscal discipline, structural reforms, and transparent governance if Kenya is to reclaim its position as a regional economic leader.