Kenya Pipeline Company headquarters./FILE
A section of opposition MPs on Wednesday vowed to challenge in court Parliament’s approval of the planned sale of the Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC).
Led by Deputy Minority Leader Robert Mbui, the lawmakers termed the move a “daylight auction” of a strategic national asset and accused the House leadership of irregularly pushing the matter through.
Speaking shortly after the vote, Mbui claimed the issue had been introduced without proper notice.
“According to our Standing Orders, members must be made aware before the Order Paper is introduced. This specific issue of KPC was sneaked in after 3 pm in the supplementary Order Paper,” the Kathiani MP said.
He warned against handing over KPC, which manages the country’s main fuel distribution network, to private interests.
“As united opposition, we are going to court to block the sale of this national asset,” he added.
Mbui was flanked by MPs Jayne Kihara (Naivasha), Joseph Munyoro (Kigumo), Makali Mulu (Kitui Central), Onesmus Ngogoyo (Kajiado North), and Stephen Mule (Matungulu).
The legislators argued that the process was rushed and excluded opposition voices. Munyoro said debate on the matter lasted only 28 minutes and that some MPs were denied a chance to contribute.
“We need arbitration by the Judiciary. We must call out the House leadership for not giving members equal opportunity to debate the issue,” he stated.
Mule, on his part, questioned the valuation of the company.
“The fundamental question is: what is the value of KPC? Such a national asset is being given away at only Sh100 billion,” he said.
Government-allied MPs, however, defended the decision, saying privatisation would enhance efficiency, attract investment, and ease the fiscal burden on taxpayers.
National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah supported the plan, arguing it would broaden public ownership and improve governance.
“IPO offers everyone an opportunity to invest. It enhances corporate governance in the management of these companies, increases efficiency in operations, and improves profitability,” he said.
He explained that the Sessional Paper proposes to privatise 65 per cent of government shareholding in KPC while retaining 35 per cent.
“The Government will still maintain control because no single investor will acquire the entire 65 per cent. Majority shareholding will remain with the State even as we allow public participation. I invite Kenyans to start saving in preparation to buy shares in this company—this is a good buy,” Ichung’wah said.
The Majority Leader further argued that privatisation is part of the Government’s strategy to fund infrastructure and service delivery without overburdening taxpayers.
“We have depended on taxes, but Kenyans have said we must innovate new ways of funding. One option is releasing part of the shareholding in profitable organisations,” he stated.
INSTANT ANALYSIS
The opposition’s planned court petition sets the stage for a legal showdown between the executive and opposition, with the future of one of Kenya’s most strategic state corporations at the centre of the dispute.
