NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 12 — National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi has cited rising soft-drink consumption as an indication that some Kenyans have more disposable income, as he defended the economic record of President William Ruto’s administration.

📻 Breaking It Down

Mbadi argued that increased demand for sodas could suggest that households have some money left after meeting their basic needs.

“Soft drinks consumption has gone up in this country. Soft drink. Do you know what that tells you? Who takes sodas? Sodas people take when they have left a little more in their pockets,” Mbadi said.

The Treasury Cabinet Secretary made the remarks while responding to criticism of the government’s economic performance and defending the administration’s record since taking office.

📌 What You Need to Know

Mbadi said the government had made progress in stabilising an economy that he described as being close to tipping when the Kenya Kwanza administration assumed office.

“If it is economy, actually we should be called to be celebrated. Some of us should be given awards in this country. Because we have removed Kenya to where it—it was almost tipping,” he said.

He also accused some of President Ruto’s critics of opposing the administration primarily on ethnic grounds rather than because of its economic policies.

“The truth is most of these people are fighting Ruto on ethnic grounds. Not on economy,” Mbadi said.

His comments come amid a sustained political debate over whether the government’s economic policies have improved the lives of ordinary Kenyans.

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has emerged as one of the administration’s prominent critics following his fallout with President Ruto and departure from government.

📰 Source: Capital FM Kenya