Press Release
Under the Clutches of Corrupt Capitalism Livelihood is Tougher and Harder

The cost of living in the country continues to hike with the prices of basic foods and non-edible commodities hitting record highs, drying the pockets of the ordinary citizen who is struggling to keep his nose above the waters. Kenyans demand and call upon the current regime to address the situation that has been perpetual abyss in capitalist economy.

We in Hizb ut Tahrir in Kenya wish to emphasis that:

The current elected government will never address this problem fundamentally that indeed has been recurring phenomenon in the Capitalist regimes. The fact that the economic policies that emanate from capitalist economic system which makes price as the determinant factor in the production, distribution and consumption of the commodities and services, hence creating cartel organizations that monopolize the market and with sole objective of maximizing their profits at the expense of livelihood of common man. Furthermore, the truth of the matter is that all Capitalist regimes are basically and directly responsible for this harsh condition due to its abysmal failure of the economic system and therefore, the fact of new authority clean from failures of past administration is scapegoat to cover up the system failure.

In Islam, satisfying and facilitating of basic and luxurious needs is a responsibility that falls under the Khalifah. It is in this regard, the Khalifah is obliged to make the Markets free from exploitation by a bunch of organized cartels and cabal. This will result in making the markets naturally driven by the forces of demand and supply thus making the prices of goods and services competitive and affordable. Furthermore, Islam has addressed the economic problem as that of distribution of wealth as opposed to production in Capitalism.

As witnessed in the history of the Caliphate of Umar ibn Al-Khattab (the second Khalifah of the Muslim nation), when the people of the province of Hijaz suffered extreme famine, he implemented an economic policy that made sure no individual or cartel could take advantage and capitalize on the situation. Umar (ra) gave an executive order to Amr bin Al-Assi then governor of North Africa to increase the supply of food stuff in the market of Madinah to curb the high prices and famine.

We affirm that by the re-establishment of Khilafah (Caliphate), all economic crises and hardships will be comprehensively solved.

Shabani Mwalimu
Media Representative of Hizb ut Tahrir in Kenya