Former Prime Minister and ODM leader Raila Odinga has defended a proposal by the government to sell the Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC).
In July, President William Ruto announced the plans by the government to list KPC shares at the Nairobi Securities Exchange, pending approval from the Cabinet and Parliament.
However, on August 15, the High Court issued temporary orders stopping the government from proceeding with the planned sale of KPC.
Speaking on Monday during the ODM Parliamentary Group meeting, Raila defended the move, saying even if the institution is privatised, it remains a Kenyan asset.
Raila said the sale of the Corporation will enable the country to get money to invest and clear off debts.
“I want to thank CS Treasury CS John Mbadi for bringing out the issues. He has talked about selling off some assets. Kenya Pipeline Corporation. KPC is underground, from Mombasa to Nairobi, even if you sell it, where is somebody taking it? It remains an asset of Kenya, it is just there on the ground. If someone wants to buy it, buy it,” Raila said.
“That is what Margaret Thatcher told the Britons when the Arabs wanted to buy historical buildings in the UK. She said even if they buy Buckingham Palace, where are they going to take it? It remains here; it is an asset. Sell KPC so that we can get money to invest instead of borrowing.”
KPC, which plays a central role in Kenya’s energy supply chain, has consistently posted strong profits. The government argued that privatisation would bring in private capital and professional expertise to modernise operations and position the firm as a regional logistics and energy leader.
While delivering the ruling in August, Justice Bahati Mwamuye restrained the National Treasury, the Privatisation Authority, and other state agencies from offering, selling, allocating, or transferring any KPC shares until a petition filed by the Consumers Federation of Kenya (Cofek) is heard and determined.
“Pending the inter partes hearing and determination of the petitioner’s notice of motion application dated August 14, 2025, a conservatory order be and is hereby issued restraining the respondents and the interested parties, jointly and severally, and whether by themselves or through their agents, servants, or any person acting under their authority, from offering for sale, allocating, disposing, transferring, or otherwise dealing with any shares of the Kenya Pipeline Company Limited pursuant to the impugned privatisation plan that is the subject of the petition herein,” the judge ruled.
