Accused of Being an Economic Fraudster, Acknowledged as One of Africa’s Shrewdest Think-tanks — Who Exactly is David Ndii?

Renowned economist David Ndii has hit the headlines for yet another wrong reason. Recently the once composed voice of reason in economic matters has depreciated to throwing negative vibes at women on Twitter and showing a sense of recklessness in his reasoning that appears alien to his vaulted position as one of Africa’s Shrewdest Think-tanks.

So who is David Ndii?

David Ndii is a Kiambu-born Kenyan economist, author, and columnist. His work has received local and international acclamation.

David was the Managing Director of African Economics. At one point he made headlines for calling for the secession of a part of Kenya.

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The aim was to exclude central Kenya and parts of the Rift Valley and Eastern provinces by creating the People’s Republic of Kenya.

Quick Facts
Full Name: David Ndii
Born: Kiambu, Kenya
Nationality: Kenyan
Occupation: University of Nairobi/
University of Oxford
Spouse: Mwende Gatabaki

Early Life and Education
David Ndii was born in Kiambu, Kenya to a single parent. His mother is a retired civil servant. He obtained Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of Nairobi.

Ndii obtained his Ph.D. from the University of Oxford on a Rhodes Scholarship.

Career
For many years, Ndii was a close ally of Raila Odinga working as the chief strategist of the National Super Alliance (NASA). He openly criticized the policies of the Uhuru Kenyatta administration.

He has written several open letters and tweets targeted at the economic policies and loans collected by the government. Eventually, the economist was barred from accessing the Technical University of Mombasa.

David was part of the team that crafted the Kenya Kwanza manifesto, anchored on the Bottom-up economic agenda. He served as the Chairman of the board of Zimele.

Personal Life
Wife
David Ndii is married to Mwende Gatabaki. According to Pulse, the economist once told his wife that taking a bribe could end their marriage.

Mwende made headlines for accusing the Jubilee Government of harassing her husband. Her husband had then been arrested from his Leopard Beach Resort Hotel room in Kwale County and driven to Nairobi.

Tribe
Dr David Ndii left many tongues wagging on March 4, 2018, after he renounced his alleged change of tribe from Kikuyu to Luo. In a tweet, Ndii mentioned he was tired of ethnic solidarity.

Dear Uthamaki, I’ve had enough of the appeal to ethnic solidarity. I hereby renounce my Gikuyu citizenship. Consider me a Jaluo and let me be.

The move earned him the nickname David Onyango Ndii!

Social Profiles
David Ndii has his thoughts and opinions on the dynamic economic changes in the country. 

Lately, he has shown floundering in his conviction with the bottom-up economic philosophy of which he is reputed to have founded.

He has over a million followers on Twitter.