
Kenya has initiated a comprehensive audit of its national debt, Finance Minister John Mbadi announced on Monday.
The move comes in response to public pressure following widespread protests against proposed tax increases in June.
The East African nation’s debt currently stands at 10.5 trillion shillings ($81.71 billion).
The audit aims to verify the amounts owed to various creditors and address concerns raised by protesters.
The auditor general, an independent government office, is leading the investigation.
While specific details about the audit’s focus and timeline remain unclear, the government hopes to provide the public with a clearer understanding of the country’s debt obligations.
President William Ruto’s appointment of a committee to conduct the audit faced opposition from several individuals, who argued that the task should be entrusted to the auditor general.
The protests against tax increases were met with a violent crackdown, resulting in the deaths of over 50 people.
The government was forced to abandon its financing law and faced credit downgrades from major global rating agencies.
As the audit proceeds, the International Monetary Fund is conducting a fact-finding mission in Kenya to assess the country’s economic situation and determine whether to approve a $600 million disbursement.