Inside David Ndii's New Role in Executing Ruto's Bottom-Up Model – Kenyans.co.ke
Renowned economist David Ndii joined the Executive Office of President William Ruto following his appointment as the Chairperson of the Council of Economic Advisors (CEA) on Friday, October 14.
Speaking on Saturday, October 15, Ndii revealed his roles will be similar to those of the Fiscal Affairs and Budget Office, which advises US President Joe Biden on economic issues. The office holders aid Biden in executing his bottom-up and middle-out economic model.
“Council of Economic Advisors (CEA) is an Executive Agency, the same as in the US.
The CEA, Office of Fiscal Affairs and Budget and Office of the National Security Advisor are part of our goal to fully operationalise the presidential system,” Ndii stated.
His duties as the chairperson of the Council of Economic Advisors will be critical in helping President Ruto properly execute his duties.
Ndii will be charged with preparing an economic report, which will detail an annual overview of the country’s recovery prospects.
The former National Super Alliance (NASA) strategist will also play a key role in helping Ruto keep abreast of economic developments and trends that will help him cushion Kenyans from inflation pressure.
Ndii and the team will further draft policies for addressing the plight of workers in the country. Their recommendations will inform President’s directive on salary reviews and other benefits.
“Reviewing government policies and programs to ensure they continue to promote sound economic policy,” reads part of policies assigned to a team advising Biden on his Bottom Economic model.
Ndii will collaborate with Treasury Cabinet Secretary nominee, Njuguna Ndung’u, and his Trade counterpart Moses Kuria.
Before joining the Executive Office of the President, Ndii served as Ruto’s economic advisor in his campaign team. Defending the team’s formation, the head of state argued that it would help him create more jobs compared to the trickle-down economic model, which breeds cartels.
“Bottom-up is focused on deliberately creating jobs, liberating enterprises from shylock-credit exploitation and unfair regulation and empowering our resource-poor farmers to produce and free them from the slavery or indignity of relief food aid,” Ruto stated.
He added that the model is anchored on promoting and financial investments, which he had demonstrated by attending the National Securities Exchange (NSE) event.