NAIROBI, Kenya — Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has dismissed Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi’s argument that increased soft-drink consumption is evidence of improving household incomes, accusing the government of relying on misleading indicators to portray Kenya’s economy as healthier than it is.
Gachagua said it was unreasonable to conclude that the economy was performing well simply because Kenyans were buying more sodas, arguing that household financial wellbeing should be assessed through indicators that reflect people’s ability to meet their needs.
“I know these people are treating us like fools, saying that because people drink more soda, the economy is okay,” Gachagua said.
The former Deputy President spoke on Sunday during a church service at PCEA Rev. Samuel Marima Memorial Church in Gatundu South, Kiambu County, where he intensified his criticism of President William Ruto’s administration and its handling of the economy.
Gachagua challenges Mbadi’s soda argument
Gachagua was responding to remarks made by Mbadi on August 12, when the Treasury Cabinet Secretary cited rising consumption of soft drinks as an indication that some Kenyans had more disposable income.
“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 CS argued that increased demand for soft drinks could suggest that households were retaining some money after meeting their basic needs.
Mbadi also defended the government’s economic record, saying the Kenya Kwanza administration had helped stabilise an economy that was approaching a crisis when President Ruto took office.
“If it is the 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 was almost tipping,” Mbadi said.
Gachagua, however, offered a different measure of household economic conditions.
“If you want to know if the economy is doing well, ask the pastor about the offering; it will tell you how the economy is moving,” he said.
He argued that declining church offerings would indicate that families were experiencing financial difficulties.
“This is because Christians love giving to God, but if they don’t have anything, they can’t do it. If you see the offering has gone down, know that the economy has collapsed,” Gachagua said.
Gachagua calls for new leadership
The former Deputy President, who now leads the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP), broadened his criticism to the overall performance of the Ruto administration.
“I have released a report on two years of Ruto: he has done nothing, zero,” Gachagua said.
He accused the government of failing to improve the living standards of Kenyans and argued that households were continuing to face economic pressure despite claims of macroeconomic stabilisation.
His remarks come amid a wider political debate over whether improvements in selected economic indicators have translated into meaningful relief for ordinary households.
Gachagua urged Kenyans to seek alternative leadership in the 2027 General Election.
“Let us get in line. We look for new leadership that will fix our country and return it to where Uhuru Kenyatta left us,” he said.
Mbadi defends government’s economic record
Mbadi has maintained that the government’s economic policies have helped stabilise Kenya’s economy and accused critics of overlooking progress made since the Kenya Kwanza administration assumed office.
“The truth is most of these people are fighting Ruto on ethnic grounds. Not on the economy,” Mbadi said.
The Treasury CS also disclosed that the government plans to introduce a Bill in Parliament by the end of September aimed at providing relief to Kenyans.
“End of September, you will see a bill in Parliament. We are trying to manage, see how to give some relief to Kenyans,” Mbadi said.
He added that President Ruto’s commitment to provide relief would be implemented through the Treasury.
“You think that promise by the President will not be acted on? Mbadi is going to implement it on behalf of the Government of Kenya and on behalf of President Ruto,” he said.
The competing assessments by Gachagua and Mbadi highlight the increasingly political debate over Kenya’s economic performance, with the government pointing to economic stabilisation and opposition figures questioning whether such gains are being felt by households.
