A Call for Justice: Cancel Kenya's Illegitimate Debt

To Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, and Global Leaders,

We, the undersigned citizens of Kenya and concerned global citizens, stand united in demanding the cancellation of Kenya’s illegitimate and unsustainable debt owed to the IMF. We are not asking for charity; we are demanding justice.

For decades, Kenya, like many African nations, has been trapped in a vicious cycle of debt and austerity, a legacy of colonialism, unfair trade practices, and predatory lending that has enriched the few at the expense of the many.

Our nation's debt burden has reached a staggering $80 billion - nearly three-quarters of our entire economy. This debt was accumulated through a history of loans, often taken on by corrupt regimes, with little transparency or accountability. Much of this money never benefited ordinary Kenyans. Instead, it fueled corruption, vanity projects, and unsustainable infrastructure that lined the pockets of elites and foreign corporations. (Source: UNCTAD)

The IMF, through its loan programs and stringent conditions, has played a central role in perpetuating this crisis. You demand austerity measures that cut spending on essential services like healthcare and education, forcing us to choose between repaying our debts and investing in our people. You push for policies, like the recently withdrawn Finance Bill 2024, that increase taxes on basic necessities, further burdening the poorest among us while offering tax breaks to the wealthy.

The consequences are devastating:

Millions of Kenyans are struggling to survive as the cost of living skyrockets, food becomes unaffordable, and unemployment soars.

Our children are denied access to quality education and healthcare, robbing them of a fair chance at a brighter future.

Our economy is stifled by debt repayments, limiting our ability to invest in innovation, create jobs, and build a sustainable future.

Your own analysis acknowledged the risk of social unrest caused by the Finance Bill. You knew it would spark protests, yet you urged our government to stand firm. The pain of our people was simply a calculated "medium risk" in your pursuit of fiscal targets. (Source: Daily Nation)

This is not economic policy; it is economic violence. It is a modern form of colonialism that extracts wealth from our nation, perpetuates poverty, and undermines our sovereignty.

We demand a new approach to development finance, one that prioritizes people over profit, justice over austerity, and a sustainable future for all.

Therefore, we call upon the IMF to:

Immediately cancel Kenya’s illegitimate debt: Recognize the historical injustice and the devastating consequences of this debt burden.

End the era of predatory lending and austerity: Implement policies that support sustainable development, not just short-term financial gains.

Empower developing nations: Give us a voice in shaping the global financial system and creating a more just and equitable world.

The people of Kenya are rising up. We are demanding an end to economic oppression. We are determined to build a future where our nation's wealth benefits ALL its people, not just the privileged few or distant lenders.

We urge you to listen to our voices, to recognize the injustice of our debt burden, and to take bold action to create a more equitable and sustainable world.

Sign this petition and join us in the fight for economic justice!

#CancelKenyaDebt #RejectFinanceBill2024 #DebtJusticeNow