Chairman of President William Ruto's Council of Economic Advisors, David Ndii on Thursday said Kenya Kwanza did not promise Kenyans cheap electricity.
Ndii went on to say Kenyans had two choices when it came to the power bill: either costly power around the clock or cheap power a few hours a day.
In a tweet, Ndii said:
"If you cared to peruse our manifesto, you would have noted that cheap power does not feature in our pledges on electricity," he added.
This drew reactions from Kenyans who dared to peruse the Kenya Kwanza manifesto, to ascertain remarks made by the economist.
Surprisingly, the manifesto, which Ndii is believed to have played a key role in crafting contained the aspect of lowering electricity bills.
Under the point "Improve reliability, bring down the cost of electricity", the manifesto states " We propose a three-point plan to bring down the cost of power namely; Mobilise the resources needed to revamp the transmission and distribution network; Accelerate geothermal resources development;"
The discovery sparked mixed reactions on social media.
Here are some of the reactions:
Dear, @DavidNdii. I have highlighted the section where you promised to "bring down the cost of electricity."
— Gabriel Oguda (@gabrieloguda) February 23, 2023
The President will be mad that he hired an economic advisor who only reads Economics Books that were last published when Archdeacon J.J. Willis established Maseno School. https://t.co/NK9ntcJgty pic.twitter.com/aKu4tAwNlY
Dear @StateHouseKenya @DavidNdii @WilliamsRuto @rigathi this is what you promised Kenyans during your campaigns. If the KK manifesto was stolen refer to this picture carefully and deliver what you promised. Wakenya wamechoka na nyinyi. pic.twitter.com/wZOw8zMXlL
— Nyakundi Omurwa SMICE (@nyakundi_omurwa) February 23, 2023
David Ndii is now on the driver's seat and he's being exposed for the economic clown that he is.
— Karen Wanjiku HSC (@WanjikuHSC) February 23, 2023
Imagine a government that restricts you to two options: 24/7 expensive or rationed power and pay less! It's a shame. @DavidNdii bread is well buttered and unfortunately he's drunk with it. Solar Solar Solar it is. Ndio, Gachagua and Ruto can have the rationed power.
— Linus Gerald (@Helitravis) February 23, 2023
Page 30 of the manifesto pic.twitter.com/WeY4Xt1YF2
— Wariithi (@wariithi) February 23, 2023
I dont how you translate academic and practical economics. South Africa has failed in its leadership. So please borrow good economic history from countries like Japan.
— James (@JOgindipe) February 23, 2023
David Ndii about to explain using bar graphs and pie charts how you can use 500 shillings borrowed from the hustler fund to lease a wheelbarrow and use it to generate your electricity if you feel the one KPLC offers is too expensive
— YANO (@_Yanoh) February 23, 2023
@DavidNdii could rather sing dirges to Mama Mbogas to spite the Kenyattas than sing lullabies to #upperdeck Kenyans.
— the narrator (@david_nyasente) February 23, 2023
The surprising thing is that their economic adviser David Ndii does not know that the UDA government had promised low cost of electricity. For those who had not yet realised the state we are in and how clueless the government is I guess now you know
— Daniel Ngigi (@DanielN27632792) February 23, 2023