How David Ndii's New Role In Ruto's Govt Works

Ndii was initially left out of Ruto's Cabinet nominees, despite his integral role in conceptualizing and explaining the bottom-up economic model.

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Oct 15, 2022 - 10:30 Updated: Oct 27, 2022 - 14:28
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How David Ndii's New Role In Ruto's Govt Works
Collage of David Ndii and President William Ruto. /FILE

Renowned economist David Ndii was on Friday, October 14 appointed as the Chairperson of the Council of Economic Advisors (CEA) under the Executive Office of President William Ruto.

Touted as one of the best economists of the modern generation, Ndii was initially left out of Ruto's Cabinet nominees, despite his integral role in conceptualizing and explaining the bottom-up economic model.

He has defended Kenya Kwanza on several occasions through social media and on TV and his expertise in economics led to many believing that he would land a role in Ruto's Cabinet, but to no avail. That however changed on Friday, with a bigger role.

From left: Economist David Ndii, MP Kimani Ichungwa (Kikuyu MP) and President William Ruto at a past event. /FILE

Speaking on Saturday, October 15, Ndii revealed that his new role will be just like 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," he explained.

Established by the US Congress in 1946, the Council of Economic Advisers is charged with advising the President on economic policy based on data, research, and evidence.

The CEA is composed of three members, including a Chair who is appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate, who analyze and interpret economic developments and formulate and recommends economic policies that advance the interests of the American people.

Some of the tasks of the CEA that Ndii will be expected to take part in include:

1. Assisting President Ruto in preparing the Economic Report, an annual report written by the CEA Chair (Ndii in this case) that provides an overview of the country's economic progress, including its recovery from economic shocks caused by among others, the COVID-19 pandemic.

2. Analyzing information on economic developments and trends. This will help protect Kenyans from the pressures of economic inflation.

3. Reviewing federal government policies and programs to ensure they continue to promote sound economic policy.

4. Recommending economic policies that will benefit workers in the country. Their recommendations will inform President's directive on salary reviews and other benefits.

"Under President Biden, Cecilia Elena Rouse serves as Chair of the CEA, and Jared Bernstein and Heather Boushey serve as members. Together, they are helping steer America’s economic recovery and ensure that our nation builds back better," the White House explains on its website.

Appointments to the office of President William Ruto as of Friday, October 14, 2022. /VIRALTEAKE

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