Human rights lawyer Willis Otieno has accused the government of misleading Kenyans with comparisons to developed nations such as Singapore, Malaysia, and South Korea.
Otieno argued that while President William Ruto speaks of turning Kenya into a first-world nation, the government’s fiscal policies tell a different story.
Bloated Wage Bill
In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, Otieno pointed out that Kenya’s public wage bill takes up about 50% of tax revenues. He noted that this leaves little money for investments in roads, schools, hospitals, and industries.
By comparison, Otieno said successful countries keep their wage bills below 30% of revenues. “Kenya’s bureaucracy, though only 1.8% of the population or about one million state workers, drains resources that should instead uplift the other 98%,” he wrote.
Ordinary Kenyans Left Behind
Otieno warned that while citizens continue to work and pay taxes, the political elite enjoy luxury. Meanwhile, most Kenyans struggle with debt and poor public services. He stressed that the system sidelines the majority, making it harder for the country to grow.
Ruto’s Singapore Promise
His remarks followed President Ruto’s media address on September 2, where he promised to push Kenya’s affordable housing plan. Ruto compared Kenya to Singapore 60 years ago, saying the country has the potential to catch up.
“Seven million people live in slums, but we are going to change this country,” Ruto said. “There is no reason why we cannot catch up with Singapore, Malaysia, and South Korea.”
A Growing Debate
Otieno’s comments add to rising public debate on whether Kenya’s economic model can deliver growth. Critics argue that without tackling the ballooning wage bill, the country will continue to lag behind the very nations it seeks to emulate.
