Laikipia: Laikipia County residents have expressed mixed reactions to the Privatisation Bill 2025, sponsored by National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung'wah, which seeks to privatise public entities.
According to Kenya News Agency, the proposed law, once enacted, will repeal the Privatisation Act of 2005 and align it with provisions of the 2010 Constitution. During a public participation forum held at the Nanyuki NG-CDF Hall on Thursday, residents raised concerns over corruption, urging the government to prioritise accountability to ensure privatized entities benefit Kenyans.
While some participants opposed the bill, arguing that struggling parastatals should undergo reforms instead of being sold, others said privatization could be a game changer if corruption was decisively addressed. "Whatever decision the government makes, we shall accept. But on privatization, we are opposed. Instead of selling, reforms should be introduced to turn around loss-making parastatals like the Kenya Meat Commission (KMC)," said Paul Gituthu.
Another resident, Josphat Ndirangu, emphasised corruption as the greatest threat to privatisation, warning that Kenyans risk being locked out of ownership. "We don't oppose privatisation per se, but corruption must be dealt with first. If government entities are sold without our involvement, it will be a problem," he said.
The forum was chaired by two National Assembly committees: Finance and National Planning, and Public Debt and Privatization, led by Kesses MP Julius Rutto. Rutto explained that the bill seeks to expand avenues for both citizens and legislators to participate in the process of selling government entities. "The current law was drafted before the 2010 Constitution and is outdated. This bill emphasizes public participation and ensures citizens can buy government shares to grow their wealth base," he said.
He added that the new proposal follows the annulment of the 2023 Privatization Bill by the courts after an ODM petition challenged its constitutionality. Other MPs present included Dominic Letipila (Samburu North) and John Namoit (Turkana South).
The committee is collecting views across the Eastern region, with forums already held in Nyeri, Isiolo, Laikipia, and scheduled for Embu on Friday.