{
  "id": 1270303,
  "title": "Gachagua tears into ‘expert’ Mbadi over claim that soda sales show economic recovery",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/16/gachagua-tears-into-expert-mbadi-over-claim-that-soda-sales-show",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-16T12:54:05.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Capital FM Kenya",
    "slug": "capital-fm-kenya",
    "url": "https://capitalfm.africa/gachagua-tears-into-expert-mbadi-over-claim-that-soda-sales-show-economic-recovery/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Nairobi, Kenya - Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has vehemently criticized Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi for claiming that an increase in soft-drink sales signals economic recovery in Kenya. Gachagua, speaking during a church service, dismissed the argument as misguided, stating that it was unreasonable to assume the economy was performing well merely because Kenyans were buying more sodas. He accused the government of treating the public as \"fools\" by presenting such misleading indicators. Gachagua, now leading the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP), further accused the Ruto administration of failing to deliver on its promise to improve the economy, noting that he had released a report highlighting the administration's lack of progress. He also accused the government of exacerbating economic pressures faced by Kenyans. This criticism comes amid a contentious political debate over whether recent improvements in economic indicators have translated into tangible relief for ordinary households. Mbadi countered Gachagua's claims, asserting that the government's policies had stabilized the economy and that critics were motivated by ethnic considerations rather than economic concerns. He further announced plans to introduce a bill in Parliament aimed at providing relief to Kenyans by the end of September.",
  "summary": "NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 16-Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has dismissed Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi’s argument that rising soft-drink consumption is a sign of improving household incomes, accusing the government…",
  "key_points": [
    "Former Deputy President Gachagua criticizes Mbadi's soda sales claim.",
    "Gachagua accuses government of misleading public with economic indicators.",
    "Mbadi defends policies, plans to introduce relief bill by September."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}