Kenya’s Auditor General has commenced an investigation into the country’s debt to verify the amounts owed to various creditors, Finance Minister John Mbadi announced on Monday.
Kenya’s debt currently stands at 10.5 trillion shillings ($81.71 billion), and the audit follows widespread public demand during anti-tax hike protests, which led the government to drop several planned tax increases in June.
Mbadi confirmed that the audit has begun but did not provide specific details about its scope or the expected timeline for completion. The independent audit, carried out by the constitutionally mandated Auditor General’s office, replaces the task initially assigned to a committee appointed by President William Ruto during the height of the protests. Several key appointees had declined the roles, insisting the audit should be led by the Auditor General.
Mbadi, during his parliamentary vetting, committed to enhancing debt accountability to improve public understanding of the nation’s financial obligations.
The protests, which resulted in over 50 deaths, forced the government to backtrack on its proposed financing law and triggered a series of credit downgrades by major global ratings agencies. Meanwhile, a team from the International Monetary Fund is currently in Kenya for a review ahead of a $600 million disbursement.
