Kenya is ready to discard debt burden, step into prosperity

President William Ruto addresses a joint sitting of Parliament during his second State of the Nation address on November 1, 2024. [PCS]

The sycamore tree that Zacchaeus of the Bible climbed wasn’t just any ordinary tree; it was strategically located on the route Jesus would take.

This set the stage for a transformative encounter that would change Zacchaeus’s life. Similarly, the Kenya Kwanza government, led by President William Ruto, has selected a path of economic policies to guide Kenya from past economic struggles toward redemption.

Just as Zacchaeus sought elevation to get a better view of Jesus, Kenya is climbing toward a higher economic standing, with targeted reforms in healthcare, education, and taxation, despite resistance and challenges.

The tree in which Zacchaeus climbed has long been seen by Church Fathers as a symbolic bridge connecting the tree in the Garden of Eden that brought sin into the world to the tree of the Cross of Calvary that brought redemption to humanity.

In similar vein, Kenya’s economic journey is shifting from the burden of high debt, inflation and dependency toward the hope of sustainable growth. Just as the sycamore tree marked the turning point in Zacchaeus’s life, Kenya Kwanza’s strategic policies; focusing on public-private partnerships (PPPs), sustainable tax reforms, and homegrown solutions are designed to uplift Kenya’s economy.

Much like Zacchaeus, who recognised his limitations and took proactive steps to change his fate, the KK government has confronted Kenya’s economic limitations head-on.

The administration has prioritised strengthening local resources, focusing on long-term solutions rather than continued borrowing, and pushing reforms in sectors like healthcare, housing, and education. However, just as Zacchaeus’s climb was met with resistance, President Ruto’s economic reforms have faced substantial political and public opposition.

The Finance Bill 2024, for instance, was met with fierce resistance. Violent protests erupted in June and July, with demonstrators demanding the reversal of the government’s tax policies, despite the fact that President Ruto had already wisely responded to the public mood by withholding assent to the Bill.

The economy has begun showing positive shifts: inflation has decreased, the shilling has stabilised against the dollar, and prices of essential goods like maize flour (unga), sugar, and cooking oil have decreased. State entities such as KENGEN have reported profits, reflecting steady progress.

It is from the tree that Jesus called Zacchaeus, and their encounter brought a profound declaration: “Today salvation has come to this house” (Luke 19:9). Similarly, the policies under Ruto’s administration are beginning to bring “salvation” to Kenya’s economy, shifting it from the challenges of the past to a future filled with hope and stability. The sycamore tree, then, serves as a powerful symbol: a bridge between the past and redemption, a metaphor for Kenya’s transformative journey.

However, for these reforms to truly bear fruit, Kenyans must learn from Zacchaeus’s encounter. Just as Zacchaeus was willing to change and embrace new ways, Kenyans too must embrace the path of self-reliance.

Time has come for Kenyans to climb their own sycamore trees, support reforms, demand accountability and step into a future of shared prosperity.

-The writer is an economist based in Finland