Retired President Mwai Kibaki's administration ranks higher in terms of economic well being compared with President Uhuru Kenyatta, a report has revealed according to Bussiness Daily.
Prosperity Index report which depends on records availed by International Monetary Fund, World Bank among others, is set to release the report officially Monday, 25th November 2019.
The index, set to be launched today by the Legatum Institute, a London-based think-tank, gives Kenya a score of 37.5 compared to 39.3 in 2009 on economic quality—which measures the strength of the economy in generating wealth for its workforce.
Legatum ranks Kenya at position 135 among 167 countries on economic quality compared to 101 in 2009 but places the country at position 113 on the ranks of the world’s most prosperous nations based on the Prosperity Index.
Under Uhuru's regime, Kenya is said to be struggling economically with the debt hitting at Sh6 trillion. When Kibaki left office in 2013, the debt stood at Sh1.3 trillion.
Despite the heavy borrowing by Uhuru and the alleged investment in infrastructure, several companies have folded due to huge losses incurred.
Unemployment, the report says, has also shot up with the youthful population being the most affected with the struggling economy.
"If you look at employment index (in the PMI) since the beginning of 2017, it’s been quite neutral meaning it’s not like there has been improvement in new jobs," said Jibran Qureishi, regional economist for East Africa at Stanbic Bank, which tracks company performance monthly through the Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI).
But despite the worrying financial downturn, the report adds, Uhuru has done considerably well in health, education and expansion of freedoms.
Uhuru keen to cement his legacy, with only three years into his final term. He has been working with opposition leader Raila Odinga in the fight against corruption.
Last week, Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro took a swipe at President Uhuru Kenyatta, insisting that Mr. Kibaki, who was in charge 2003-13, was better than Uhuru.