Raila warns againt sale of Kenya Pipeline, National Oil

By Peter Ochieng

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader has voiced his opposition against the government’s proposal to sale 11 parastatals.

Kenya Pipeline Corporation (KPC) and National Oil Corporation of Kenya (NOCK) are among the 11 parastatals earmarked for sale by President William Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza administration.

Speaking in Kisii county on Tuesday during governor Simba Arati’s thanksgiving ceremony, the opposition leader said sale of the two corporations will lead to a sharp increase in prices of fuel.

“Now I hear they want to sell parastatals among them oil corporations KPC and National Oil Corporation. I recently talked about the oil issues we have in this country, if they end up in the hands of private individuals, the price of oil will double a hundred-fold,” said Odinga.

He urged president William Ruto and his lieutenants in Kenya Kwanza, to stop blaming retired president Uhuru Kenyatta. Odinga added that increasing taxes by the current regime without tackling corruption, will lead to nowhere.

“They have been blaming Uhuru Kenyatta for their problems and that he left empty coffers, but it's been one year, something should be happening. The Kenya Kwanza government has failed to deliver on its mandate to the people and that's why it keeps increasing taxes."

“But even if Ruto keeps on increasing taxes, and he has corrupt officials, it will not work, the money will just end up in people’s pockets,” he added.

Other corporations earmarked for sale are Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), New Kenya Cooperative Creameries (KCC), Kenya Literature Bureau (KLB), Kenya Seed Company Limited (KSC) and Mwea Rice Mills Ltd (MRM).

Others are Western Kenya Rice Mills Ltd (WKRM), Numerical Machining Complex Limited (NMC), 35% of Vehicle Manufacturers Limited (KVM) and Rivatex East Africa Limited (REAL).

Speaking in Kisumu on Monday during the launch of ODM registration drive, Odinga said that even if he Ruto leads for 100 years, Kenyans will not witness any positive impact. He said the president lacks the skills and experience to turn around Kenya’s dire economic situation.