Kenya’s national debt reached Sh11.4 trillion in April 2025, showing a serious economic challenge for the country. This large amount means Kenya owes a lot of money, and the burden affects the whole nation. If this debt was divided equally among all Kenyans, each person would have to pay more than Sh230,000 to clear it.
However, this per person figure depends a lot on how many people actually live in Kenya because different sources give different population numbers. Population estimates vary widely, with some sources saying Kenya’s population in 2025 is around 52 million, while others say it could be as high as 60 million.
For example, the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) estimated the population at about 52.4 million in mid-2024, while Worldometer projected around 57.5 million for mid-2025, and Countrymeters reported over 60 million. These differences affect the per capita debt calculation. Using 57.5 million people, the debt per person would be about Sh198,000, and using 60 million, it drops to about Sh188,000.
To reach the figure of Sh230,000 per person, the population would have to be close to 49.6 million, which is lower than most current estimates. This shows that depending on which population data you use, the amount each Kenyan would theoretically pay changes a lot.
The debt of Sh11.4 trillion is made up of both domestic and external borrowing. Domestic debt is about Sh5.9 trillion, while external debt stands at around Sh5.09 trillion. External debt comes from multilateral lenders, bilateral agreements, and commercial loans.
There is also additional government-guaranteed debt of about Sh100 billion for state corporations like Kenya Ports Authority and Kenya Airways. The total debt is over 63% of Kenya’s GDP, which is above the legal limit of 55%.
This level of debt is a warning sign because it shows the country is borrowing more than it can sustainably manage and may struggle to repay without hurting the economy. The government plans to reduce the debt-to-GDP ratio to 52.8% by 2028 by borrowing less from foreign lenders and more from local sources. This approach aims to reduce risks like exchange rate problems and high interest rates that come with external debt.
But considering the current trend of borrowing and economic pressures like inflation and currency depreciation, this target appears difficult to meet.High debt means a large part of government revenue goes to paying interest, leaving less money for public services such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure.
This limits development and worsens living conditions for many citizens. Additionally, high debt can scare away foreign investors who see Kenya as a risky place to invest, which could push borrowing costs even higher and add to the debt problem.
Kenya’s national debt of Sh11.4 trillion in April 2025 is a heavy burden. The claim that each Kenyan owes over Sh230,000 depends on which population figures are used, but the debt per person is clearly very high. The current borrowing pattern and economic conditions suggest the debt problem could worsen unless serious changes happen. This growing debt threatens the country’s future and puts pressure on the people, who will ultimately bear the cost.
Add Comment