Treasury Cabinet secretary John Mbadi is under fire, following the statement that increased consumption of soda is a sign of economic resurgence.
The CS, who was speaking ahead of the National Conversation on Beyond Vision 2030, had said data showed that Kenyans were drinking more sodas, a phenomenon he had equated to availability of more money in the pockets of Kenyans.
“Soft drinks consumption has gone up. Do you know what that tells you? Who takes sodas? Sodas are taken when people have more money in their pockets.” Mbadi said.
“If it is 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—it was almost tipping,” he added.
Kenyans on X have dismissed Mbadi’s argument, saying it is shallow and far from the reality on the ground.
Users have cast aspersions on the ability of Mbadi to lead the national treasury with one user, Huncho Aleko saying “At this rate, Treasury doesn’t need economists, just a supermarket receipt and sodas.”
Another user @MarvinnivramM comemented: Hiyo soda ndio lunch, ndio soda ya hiyo lunch na ndio maji …like that’s the Kenyan meal; saying that Kenyans have been forced to resort to soda’s not as a luxury but as a cheaper meal.
The sentiments by Mbadi contrast with official statistics from the National Treasury, with statistics showing that inflation hit 6.5% in July this year.
