Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi and Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi have found themselves on the defensive as Kenyans raise concerns over high taxes, rising fuel prices and the increasing cost of living.
The irony has not been lost on critics and political observers. Before joining President William Ruto’s broad based government arrangement, both Mbadi and Wandayi were among the fiercest critics of the Kenya Kwanza administration.
From Parliament to political rallies, the two consistently accused the government of overtaxing citizens and failing to cushion ordinary Kenyans from the harsh economic climate.
Now seated at the heart of government, the duo is being forced to explain and defend the same policies they once condemned.
Mbadi, who served as a longtime ODM legislator and budget expert, has recently defended controversial tax measures, arguing that the government requires revenue to stabilise the economy, reduce debt pressure and finance development programmes.
He has insisted that painful economic decisions are necessary to restore fiscal discipline and protect the country from deeper financial troubles.
His remarks, however, have triggered backlash from sections of the public and opposition supporters who accuse him of abandoning his earlier stand on punitive taxation.
Similarly, Wandayi has been under pressure over rising fuel prices and the government’s handling of energy costs.
As Energy CS, he has defended state interventions in the fuel sector, including subsidies and government to government fuel import arrangements aimed at stabilising prices.
Wandayi maintains that the government is working to shield consumers from global oil market volatility and prevent sudden spikes in pump prices.
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He argues that without government intervention, fuel prices could be significantly higher.
But critics have dug up past statements where the former opposition chief attacked previous fuel pricing formulas and accused the government of burdening wananchi with expensive living costs.
Political analysts now say the two leaders are experiencing the harsh realities of governance, where campaign rhetoric often clashes with economic realities.
The situation has also exposed the delicate balancing act within the broad based government formed after months of political tensions between the opposition and the Kenya Kwanza administration.
While supporters say Mbadi and Wandayi are helping stabilise the country through bipartisan cooperation, opponents claim they have been absorbed into a government they once fiercely opposed.
For many Kenyans struggling with high food prices, taxes and fuel costs, the debate is less about politics and more about results.
As economic pressure continues to bite, Mbadi and Wandayi may soon discover that defending government policy can be far more difficult than attacking it from the opposition benches.
