Kenya: Gachagua Tears Into 'Expert' Mbadi Over Claim That Soda Sales Show Economic Recovery

What the report says

Former Kenyan Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has pushed back against Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi’s claim that rising soft-drink sales reflect stronger household incomes and signs of economic recovery. In remarks reported by Capital FM and distributed by AllAfrica, Gachagua said the government was relying on what he described as misleading indicators to portray the economy as healthier than it is.

The exchange comes amid a broader political dispute over Kenya’s economic direction under President William Ruto’s administration. Mbadi had argued that higher consumption of sodas suggested some households had a little extra money after meeting basic needs, and said the government had helped stabilise an economy that was nearing crisis when Kenya Kwanza took office. He also said the administration planned to bring a relief bill to Parliament by the end of September.

Gachagua made his remarks on Sunday during a church service at PCEA Rev. Samuel Marima Memorial Church in Gatundu South, Kiambu County. He countered that church offerings would be a more reliable measure of household strain, arguing that lower donations would point to worsening finances. He also renewed his criticism of the government’s economic record and urged voters to seek new leadership in the 2027 general election.

The dispute matters because it reflects how Kenya’s leaders are trying to frame economic performance using everyday consumption patterns, while critics say such signals do not necessarily show broad-based relief for ordinary citizens.