Narok Senator Ledama Ole Kina has taken a swipe at President William Ruto's administration following the recent cabinet approval to privatise the Kenya Pipeline company (KPC).
Taking to social media on Thursday, July 31, Ledama, who is a member of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), claimed that the government should reconsider the move, given the economic significance of the company.
According to Ledama, scrapping government oversight on the company would also make it susceptible to technology threats, such as cybersecurity, and accountability risks, which will in turn compromise the security of the infrastructure and the country at large.
Instead of the government privatising the company, the lawmaker claims that it should focus more on how it can elevate its infrastructural capacity, just like other establishments that are considered vital national assets.
"Privatising a national pipeline that’s key to security? Think twice. Critical infrastructure needs strong oversight, not profit-driven control. Cyber threats, sabotage risks, and weakened accountability are real dangers. The government must safeguard what protects us," Ledama said.
The cabinet approved the sale of the company after a meeting on Tuesday, July 29, that would see the company's shares being listed at the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE), where Kenyans can purchase shares of the company and become part-owners.
According to the cabinet, the sale of the company would be critical in reducing the country's budgetary allocation to the corporations, in addition to giving the private sector a chance to catapult the company to its full potential.
To emphasise the need for privatisation of the company, the cabinet cited previous cases, including the partial privatisation of KenGen, which transformed the company into a highly profitable business.
“The decision reflects the government’s policy shift toward reducing its role in doing business and instead enabling the private sector and industry experts to drive growth, efficiency, and innovation,” the dispatch read.
“Bringing in private capital and professional expertise is expected to inject new energy into the company, modernise operations, and position KPC as a regional logistics and energy powerhouse,” it added.
Following the move, other stakeholders, including the Motorists Association of Kenya (MAK), expressed their opposition to the move, stressing that it would undermine public trust and threaten one of the country's key assets.
“MAK registers its strongest opposition to the decision announced yesterday by the Cabinet to privatise the KPC, a move that not only undermines public trust but also threatens Kenya’s most vital national asset,” MAK stated.
