By Mercy Kachenge
Nairobi, Kenya: The Central Organizations of Trade Unions Kenya (COTU) urge caution to the newly appointed National Treasury Cabinet Secretary, Hon John Mbadi, regarding the potential implications of International Monetary Fund (IMF) conditions on Kenya’s economy.
According to Dr. Francis Atwoli, Secretary General COTU Kenya, the IMF advice without scrutiny has led to the adverse effects on the citizenry and workers thus they withdraw the important lesson from the regime of former President Hon. Mwai Kibaki that approached the IMF recommendations with a balanced perspective ensuring that the welfare of the citizens remained a key priority.
“The position of COTU if the new National Treasury Cabinet Secretary adopts the rigid approach and implements 100 percent of the IMF‘s economic finance adjustment advice, then the approach will not succeed,” said Dr. Atwoli.
Additionally, he said that IMF conditionalities often involve measures that place undue financial strain on the citizenry, primarily through increased taxation and the so-called austerity measures. These actions not only lead to social unrest but also trigger widespread demonstrations as citizens’ grapple with the negative impacts on their livelihoods.
Dr. Atwoli underscored that the advice given by the IMF if followed without adjustment to local contexts and needs, ultimately results in unrest, turmoil and thus leading to social upheavals.
COTU Kenya issues a warning against falling prey to tactics that would worsen the tax burden on Kenyans that will create social upheavals.
He added by urging the National Treasury Cabinet Secretary to approach the IMF conditionalities cautiously and with a deep understanding of their potential impact on ordinary Kenyans.
“The further we stay away from the IMF and its accomplices, the better for this country,” he said.
