• Yatani said during his tenure, the GDP grew to 7.5 per cent in 2021, despite facing the Covid-19 pandemic and, the rising of fuel and food prices.
• The former CS said the ministry, under his administration, managed to reduce budget deficit from 8.3 per cent in FY 2019/2020, to the current 6.3 per cent.
Image: FREDERICK OMONDI
Outgoing Treasury CS Ukur Yatani has thanked former President Uhuru Kenyatta for entrusting him with CS post.
In a letter addressed to Uhuru, Yatani said his appointment to the cabinet came as a patriotic call, and not as a privilege.
He further thanked Uhuru for choosing a leader from his community, assuring him of continued friendship and loyalty.
"On my own behalf and on behalf of my family and my religion, please receive my profound gratitude and thanks," he said.
He recalled the first time he was named as Labor CS in December 2017, adding that he dedicated himself to supporting Uhuru realize his socio-economic development agenda for Kenya.
He went on to recollect his appointment as Treasury CS in July 25, 2019 and confirmation in January 2020.
Yatani pointed out that he was the first Finance Minister from Northeastern, adding that Uhuru was a great mentor throughout the term.
"On a personal level, allow me to thank you immensely for your mentorship and trust," he said.
He added:
"I can only hope that I lived up to your expectations with the trust you bestowed upon me with the sensitive office of the National Treasury."
Yatani said during his tenure, the GDP grew to 7.5 per cent in 2021, despite facing the Covid 19 pandemic and, the rising of fuel and food prices.
He added that there was a 22.5 per cent revenue growth, which passed the annual mark of Sh2 trillion in the same year.
The former CS said the ministry, under his administration, managed to reduce budget deficit from 8.3 per cent in FY 2019/2020, to the current 6.3 per cent.
Yatani said the ministry helped strengthen relationship with investors, bilateral and multilateral partners, restoring Kenya's economic stability.
"This was evidenced by the three successful reviews of our 39-month IMF program under the Enhanced Credit Facility (ECF) and Extended Fund Facility (EFF)," he said.
He added that the relations with IMF helped address the Covid 19 pandemic, debt vulnerabilities and reformed State-owned enterprises.
"Furthermore, because of our good international standing we successfully negotiated three successive Development Policy Operations (DPOs) with the World Bank," he said.
Yatani said the country's economic management during the pandemic helped place it in a position of respect across the world.
He said this was evidenced by his election to chair the AU committee of 15 Ministers of Finance (F15) in Morocco in June 2022.
The meeting theme was "Beyond Covid 19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine Conflict."
Yatani served as the Chair of the EAC Sectoral Council on Finance and Economic Affairs.
He also served as Chair of the Horn of Africa Institute (HoA1) in December 2021 and Kenya's position at the UN COP26 Conference in Glasgow, Scotland, among others.
The outgoing CS praised Uhuru, saying he was a dedicated leader and a well-meaning person.
"In the period that I have worked and interacted closely with you, I have come to understand you not only as my President and a personal friend, but as a well-meaning person who always meant the best for all Kenyans."