Funding to fight Covid-19 is creating controversy in Kenya. On April 2, the IMF approved $ 2.34 billion in aid for the country. An envelope planned for Nairobi to fight the pandemic and avoid the risk of over-indebtedness. But since the announcement on April 2, criticism has flowed in on social media.
On social networks, the hashtag#stoploaningkenya (stop borrowing in Kenya, in French) has been buzzing in recent days. Critics directly question the IMF. They are also forwarding a petition requesting the cancellation of the new $ 739 million funding already granted in May 2020. This online petition has also been signed by more than 220,000 people.
Lack of transparency and embezzlement
The text condemns the Kenyan authorities’ lack of transparency regarding the use of international loans. Several corruption scandals have erupted in recent months. In particular, Kemsa is targeting $ 70 million for embezzlement. The Pharmaceutical Purchasing Agency questioned the costs of the fight against Covid-19.
The petition also repeats a statement by President Kenyatta from January last year. The head of state then said that about 18 million dollars of public money was “stolen” every day in the country.
Against this situation, the signatories demand that mechanisms for monitoring public spending be set up in Kenya before any new loan. But the IMF stresses the need to support Kenya in the sustainability of its debt. To meet the pandemic, the country has borrowed a lot. As a result, its debt has increased by more than $ 11 billion in one year.
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