Cabinet doublespeak of growth on paper but struggles on the ground

President William Ruto after a Cabinet meeting at State House, Nairobi, on November 14, 2024. [PCS]

A dispatch from the presidency, following a Cabinet meeting on Thursday, November 14, presents a glowing picture of economic improvement in the country. According to the statement from State House, the welfare of Kenyans is said to have improved compared to 27 months ago when the administration took office.

Key indicators highlighted in the Cabinet report include a drop in maize flour (unga) prices, reduced inflation, increased labour exports, progress in transitioning to a new social health insurance system, and the production of enough sugar to meet local demand for the first time in our history.

Ironically, this optimistic narrative from the government coincided with a scathing statement from the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops, critiquing...