Kimani Ichung'wah Slams Kenyans Opposed To Privitisation Of KICC: "Ignorant People"

• National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung'wah said recently enacted laws give guidelines on how to privatise a government asset
• He said those opposed to the privatisation of the Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC) do not understand the economic value of such a decision
• The Kikuyu lawmaker said if KICC is given to a strategic investor, the country stands to generate a lot of money

Amos Khaemba, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.

Nairobi - National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung'wah has defended the government's move to privatise key strategy assets.

Speaking in parliament on Wednesday, November 29, Ichung'wah criticised Kenyans opposed to the government's decision.

What the Privatisation Act says

According to Ichung'wah, opponents of the privatisation programme lack the financial knowledge to understand its value.

"I have seen in the media a lot of talks. When I spoke about someone being financially illiterate, they took offence, but when you are illiterate, you are," Ichung'wah said.

The Kikuyu lawmaker argued that most people opposing the government plan are ignorant of the recently passed privatisation laws.

Ichung'wah stated that the law makes it clear under which circumstances the government can privatise its assets and what procedure to follow.

"I have many, many people saying how the government is selling off assets. Ignorant people are not looking at the privatisation act that we passed here a few months ago, and that act now makes it very clear how the government will divest from investments it had made in the past, whether through an initial public offering or joint venture with private investors," he stated.

Ichung'wah: Why privatisation of KICC is necessary

The lawmaker defended the government's decision to include the Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC) among government assets to be privatised.

According to Ichung'wah, KICC is not making economic sense despite being in a prime location within the Central Business District (CBD).

"There's a lot of propaganda out there because I have them say KICC is being sold. KICC, with 90 % of its tenants being the parliament, is paying peanuts because it is government to government. But this is a prime location in our CBD . If it was leased to an expert to run hospitality facilities, like hotels, you can imagine the kind of money the government would generate," he added.

Why Kenyans are opposed to selling KICC

As reported earlier, KICC is among 11 state-run entities okayed by President William Ruto to be handed over to private investors in the state privatisation programme.

However, the decision that came a month after the head of state signed the privatisation bill has received backlash from Kenyans, including preeminent lawyers.

Lawyer Donald Kipkorir called the state's decision to sell national jewels sacrilegious and advised against it. According to him, economic collapse cannot be a reason to sell the esteemed KICC.

"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," he said.

Nairobi senator Edwin Sifuna stated that the government is not allowed to strip the nation of its assets without reference to the people.

"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.