BY JAMES WAFULA IN NAIROBI
The Kenya Public Benefits Organization (PBO) national federation has supported calls by President William Ruto to scale down on external borrowing saying would become a heavy burden to the future generation. At the same time the Federation has welcomed a decision to grant Nairobi as host for the 2029 International World Athletics marathon in Nairobi.
Addressing a press briefing today Thursday September 24 2026 at his head office, PBO national chairman Stephen Kipchumba Cheboi said what President Ruto said at the ongoing heads of state national assembly in New York was a critical warning for developing countries especially sub-Saharan Africa that has become heavily indebted to multi-lateral financial institutions.
“There is no doubt external borrowing could bequeth the next generation invisible slave chains that would go on indefinitely and needed to be checked now not tomorrow,” Cheboi said.
On the athletics, Cheboi said the fact that Nairobi was chosen to host the world event instead of London, a first world city, was a clear vote of confidence in the leadership of President Ruto who has worked tirelessly to market the country abroad and create enabling environment for investors and tourists.
“This is a landmark achievement for Kenya, the entire sporting fraternity and the ruling UDA/Kenya Kwanza administration that the country has had such a great honour bestowed upon it by the world racing body,” Cheboi said.
In a separate event Kenya PBO’s participated in preparatory activities to mark the international world day for Peace at Mathare in Nairobi but a street procession is planned for Saturday September 26 2026.
Cheboi said the 2029 event coming hot on the heels of the planned AFCON soccer bonanza next year to be co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, helps to restore the image of the entire region as a stable, welcoming destination for visitors and tourists.
Cheboi said through the National Election Support Initiative (NAESI), the federation was up and running to ensure nothing disturbs the current peace and harmony prevailing in the country in the run up to the 2027 general elections.
“We are aware the country would not have been given this important task of hosting the world athletic championship in Nairobi in 2029 if the country was not stable and peaceful holding periodic free, fair general election and generally upholding the rule of the law and the constitution”, Cheboi said.
Cheboi said the events will be preceded by general elections which all peace loving Kenyans are working to ensure are not just free, fair and credible but entirely peaceful.