Kwale woman rep wants state to reduce foreign borrowing

Kwale County Woman Representative Zuleikha Juma has asked the government to tame its appetite for borrowing and put on hold big infrastructure projects that take a big chunk of the national budget.

Ms Juma said the government cannot afford to take more loans since it’s the undertaken infrastructure projects are not making money to repay the debts.

COSTLY PROJECTS

Speaking to the Nation, the politician cited the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) as one of the costly projects to have been initiated and which has a negative impact on the economy.

"The government must tame its appetite for foreign debt to avoid the debt trap and to do away with costly projects that do not add value to the economy," she said, adding that the situation is getting worse, and it appears the country is heading towards an economic crisis.

Ms Juma said significant resources have been invested on infrastructure, but still there are no efforts to widen the capital base.

She added that the government must  deal with corruption and take caution on irresponsible spending that will lead to burdening the people.

"Further measures should be put in place to stem corruption in government instead of burdening citizens with taxes," the Woman Rep said.

Her sentiments come at a time when there is a public outcry following the 16 per cent value added tax on petroleum products.

But on Friday last week, President Kenyatta proposed a fuel tax cut from 16 to eight per cent, meaning the price of petrol will drop from Sh127 to Sh118 and that of diesel from Sh115 to Sh107.