Senator Sifuna says referendum was needed before proposed privatization of national assets

Sifuna argued that such decisions should not be made solely by leaders, asserting that he was against allowing politicians to dispose of the nation's assets without consulting the people.

“If ever there was a matter over which a referendum was mandatory then it’s the sale of National Assets like KICC, KPC and the others. One generation of greedy leaders cannot just strip a Nation of its assets without reference to the people,” said Sifuna.

The Senator went on to suggest that the next generation, represented by children, should also have a say in the matter.

“On this one even our children should vote because KICC is not even our property as the current generation of adults!” he said.

Sifuna’s remarks follow a public notice from the National Treasury and Economic Planning Ministry on Monday, November 27, proposing the privatization of KICC and KPC, among other entities. 

The ministry argued that the move would generate additional government revenue and reduce the demand for public resources.

Moreover, the Ministry justified the proposal under the Privatisation Act 2023 Section 21 (1), which empowers the Treasury Cabinet Secretary to identify entities for the Privatisation Programme.

In addition to KICC and KPC, other parastatals listed for privatization in the 2023 program include New Kenya Cooperative Creameries (KCC), Kenya Literature Bureau (KLB), National Oil Corporation of Kenya (NOCK), Kenya Seed Company Limited (KSC), Mwea Rice Mills Ltd (MRM), Western Kenya Rice Mills Ltd (WKRM), Numerical Machining Complex Limited (NMC), 35% of Vehicle Manufacturers Limited (KVM), and Rivatex East Africa Limited (REAL).