Kenya’s government, inspired by Western countries, has asked the International Monetary Fund to investigate the crime and bring the crisis under control.
Kenya has been struggling with debt that has reached unsustainable levels in recent years and was denied $600 million in aid from the International Monetary Fund earlier this year when tax credits were cancelled after deadly protests.
The country itself should request a so-called “administrative audit” to investigate whether corruption and administrative inconsistencies are affecting revenue or whether the country has other problems with its finances.
“We have received a governance diagnostics request from the authorities,” an IMF spokesperson said in response to written questions.
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The Kenyan government aims to strengthen governance and the fight against corruption. They plan to use these tests to improve public spending, increase competitiveness, stimulate growth and reduce poverty in an integrated manner.
Although Kenya’s assessment is not directly related to the payments, it will demonstrate the country’s good faith in improving its financial situation.
Perceptions of government waste and corruption were at the heart of mass protests that forced President William Ruto to withdraw a $2.7 billion tax increase in June.
Neither the World Bank nor Kenya’s Finance Ministry immediately responded to requests for comment. Reuters first reported on Tuesday that Western countries were pressing for the IMF measures.
