David Ndii, President William Ruto’s top economic brain, has sent shockwaves across social media with a jaw-dropping declaration: Kenya can soar economically without tackling corruption!
The drama unfolded on X when a user blasted the government over the Ksh5 billion industrial park scandal.
“Talking about Singapore without confronting corruption, bad governance and waste of public resources is unrealistic. Development collapses where accountability is absent. watu si wajinga bwana,” the user fired.
Ndii did not hold back. “We will transform Kenya economically, leave it as corrupt as we found it, and leave it to policy wonks and economic historians to argue endlessly how we did it,” he replied, leaving many Kenyans gobsmacked.
The bold statement comes as the country reels from allegations of inflated costs and mismanagement in industrial park projects meant to boost jobs and manufacturing.
For many, the idea that growth can ignore corruption is both shocking and controversial.
Kenyans online erupted with reactions. Some cheered Ndii’s confidence in policy and economic strategy.
Others slammed him, accusing the government of turning a blind eye to fraud and waste.
“How can we talk about development while billions disappear?” one angry user tweeted.
Economic experts warn that ignoring corruption is a risky gamble.
“Growth may come, but without accountability, these wins are fragile,” said a Nairobi-based analyst.
Despite the outrage, Ndii remains unshaken, doubling down on the belief that Kenya can achieve the “Singapore vision” through clever economic policies alone.
The presidency has stayed quiet, leaving the nation to digest his shocking words.
As debates rage online and offline, one thing is clear: Kenya’s road to economic transformation may be paved with controversy, scandal, and endless questions about governance.