Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) leader, Eugene Wamalwa has announced plans to initiate legal proceedings aimed at preventing the privatization of several strategic state-owned enterprises.

Among the entities in question are the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), and the Kenya Electricity Transmission Company (KETRACO).

Speaking at a press briefing held at the DAP-K headquarters in Chui House, Nairobi, Wamalwa expressed deep concern over what he described as the “irregular and opaque” processes surrounding the proposed sale of these national assets.

He emphasized that such actions, undertaken without adequate public participation, undermine the principles of transparency and accountability enshrined in the Kenyan Constitution.

Wamalwa highlighted a recent legal victory concerning the Nzoia Sugar Company, where the High Court issued interim orders halting a 30-year lease agreement to a private entity due to the absence of public involvement. He cited this case as a precedent, reinforcing the judiciary’s role as a guardian against the unchecked disposal of public resources.

“The judiciary remains the last line of defense for Kenyans against the wanton auctioning of our national heritage,” Wamalwa stated. “We will not stand by as the Kenya Kwanza administration attempts to sell off our strategic assets without the consent of the people.”In a significant development, the High Court recently declared the Privatisation Act of 2023 unconstitutional.

Justice Chacha Mwita ruled that the Act was enacted without meaningful public participation, rendering any actions taken under its provisions null and void. The court specifically identified KICC as a national monument, stating that its privatization would violate Article 11(2) of the Constitution and the National Museums and Heritage Act.

Wamalwa also announced plans to collaborate with former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i to strengthen the opposition’s stance against the government’s privatization agenda.

This alliance aims to present a united front in safeguarding Kenya’s sovereign assets and ensuring that any decisions regarding their management involve comprehensive public consultation.

The press conference was attended by notable political figures, including Senator Cleophas Malala, former Kanduyi MP Wafula Wamunyinyi, and DNA Party Leader Godfrey Kanoti. Their presence underscored a growing consensus among opposition leaders to challenge the government’s approach to privatization and advocate for greater transparency and public engagement in the management of national resources.

THE EDITOR’S PICKS!

As the debate over the future of Kenya’s state-owned enterprises intensifies, Wamalwa’s commitment to legal action signals a broader movement to hold the government accountable and protect the nation’s strategic assets from unilateral decisions that may not reflect the will of the people.