Opposition cautions investors over Kenya Pipeline sale, accuses gov't of corruption

On Friday, October 3, the opposition brigade pitched tents in Ilbissil Kajiado Central, drumming up support for Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) candidates Simon Sanare in the forthcoming Purko ward November 27 mini polls.

The opposition's attacks on the William Ruto administration revolved around corruption, extrajudicial killings, arbitrary arrests and the sale of state parastatals.

Justin Muturi, former President ally who has turned his biggest critic, threw the first salvo, alleging the atrocities committed by President Ruto will earn him a day in court after the opposition ascends to power in the 2027 polls.

Wiper Patriotic Front Party (WPFP) Kalonzo Musyoka castigated the Members of the National Assembly for what he termed as executive arm-twisting to give a nod on the KPA sale on Wednesday.

"Hao wanajaribu kuuza kampuni ya serikali kama ya pipeline, hiyo ni mali ya watu wa Kenya. Tunajua bunge walisukumwa na bwana Ruto kuuza kampuni ya mafuta. We warn any possible investor who wants to pursue the exploitation of public property. They must know once we take over, we will terminate all those deals," Kalonzo stated. 

The same sentiments were echoed by DAPK leader Eugene Wamalwa, saying it has become a norm for the Kenya Kwanza administration to use the National Assembly to rubber-stamp Shady deals involving public companies.

Although the former President, Deputy President and DCP leader avoided the KPC sale topic, as usual, went bare-knuckle at his former boss, terming him a liar, corrupt, political schemer and a master mind of extrajudicial killings who never deserved a second term in office.

Their remarks come after the National Assembly recently approved a motion seeking to privatise KPC, following a heated debate among the MPs. 

Those opposed to the deal termed the planned privatisation of KPC as opaque and skewed.

“This issue of KPC will bring a lot of excitement, but after the announcement of the share capital in February for the full year, the share company will collapse and the share price will collapse. And this is the reason: the current investor in the NSE is not buying assets; they are buying revenue," Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro stated. 

However, state-allied MPs defended the project, hailing it as a necessary step to inject private capital and unlock growth in the sector. 

With the motion's approval, the government can sell up to 65 per cent of its stake in the company while retaining a minimum 35 per cent holding.