Ruto Vows To Sell KICC, 10 Other State Corporations Amid Public Uproar: "I'll Take The Consequences"

• President William Ruto has maintained his plan to sell the Kenyatta International Convention Centre and other 10 state entities
• Ruto stated that giving the corporations to the private sector would be of great value to the country, stressing his readiness to face consequences
• He confirmed that there are about 150 companies that have been listed for sale to improve their profitability

Nancy Odindo, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings more than three years of experience covering politics, news, and feature stories across digital and print media in Kenya.

President William Ruto has reaffirmed his commitment to selling the state corporations earmarked for sale in the privatisation bill.

Why Ruto wants to sell state parastatals

Ruto said he is ready to take the consequences of his actions, stating that privatising the parastatals would be of more importance to the country.

"A report was already done saying about 150 companies should be removed. What they are doing can be done by the private sector. The private sector can give us more value out of them. Some of them divest. For 10 years now, it has been a very difficult decision to make, but I will do it. I promise you. I will make the decision and take the consequences," said Ruto.

While presiding over the official opening of the second annual Kenya Diaspora Investment Conference (KDIC), at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) on Wednesday, December 13, 2023, the president maintained that selling the state entities is not a wrong decision.

"You cannot go wrong by doing the right thing," he asserted.

The government had earmarked the KICC, New Kenya Corporative Creameries (New KCC), Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC), Kenya Literature Bureau, National Oil Corporation, Kenya Seed Company, Mwea Rice Mills, Western Kenya Rice Mills, Kenya Vehicle Manufacturers Rivatex, and Numerical Machining Complex.

Decision to privatise KICC faces backlash

His stern decision comes amid an uproar from the public to spare the state jewels.

Kenyans, led by Nairobi senator Edwin Sifuna, stated that the sale of KICC would only be considered after a public referendum.

"If ever there was a matter over which a referendum was mandatory, then it was the sale of national assets like KICC, KPC, and others. On this one, even our children should vote because KICC is not even our property as the current generation of adults!" stated Sifuna.

"Privatising KICC is sacrilegious... It’s like the US selling the Statue of Liberty, the UK selling Big Ben or France selling the Eiffel Tower … There are national jewels that not even economic collapse is a reason to sell. GoK must remove KICC from the state corporations to be sold," said Lawyer Donald Kipkorir.

Meanwhile, in November, the High Court also suspended the move, citing significant constitutional and legal issues of public importance that warrant thorough examination and consideration by the court.

"A conservatory order is hereby issued suspending implementation of section 21(1) of the Privatisation Act 2023 and or any decisions made pursuant to that section, until February 6, 2024, given under my hand and seal of the Honourable Court this 4th Day of December 2023," Mwita directed.