Govt Speaks on Claims Athi River Demolitions Backed by Wealthy Investors
Sunday, the Kenyan Privatisation Commission refuted rumors that East African Portland Cement would be sold to private investors in the wake of the demolition of squatters’ homes.
This occurred after a social media post went viral announcing that Kenya Pipeline and other critical parastatals were for sale.
Two months ago, the Trade Ministry announced that it had located a buyer for the state’s Ksh15 billion stake in Portland Cement.
Industry Principal Secretary Juma Mukhwana informed Parliament that the Ministry had authorized the strategic investor to acquire a 30% stake in the company.
The viral post coincided with the demolition of buildings on Portland Cement, which cost Kenyans billions of dollars in property.
“Kindly note the program in circulation on social media is fake,” the Commission stated.
The disseminated message is based on resolutions from a cabinet meeting led by former President Mwai Kibaki on August 12, 2009.
The cabinet approved privatizing 26 corporations, including Portland Cement, during the meeting.
In addition to KenGen, sectors of Kenya Ports Authority, Kenya Co-operative Creameries, and Kenya Meat Commission were also up for sale.
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The cabinet of President William Ruto revoked the decision on October 9, stating that only underperforming companies would be privatized.
The Portland Cement plant in Athi River has been at the center of controversy because, according to the government, the locals fraudulently acquired the land.
In November 2022, former Trade Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria disclosed that the government intended to use the expansive land for cargo storage, which marked the beginning of the eviction process.
“East African Portland Company will not turn out to be a center for the land transaction, we have the plan to utilize the land in question by constructing the first Kenya cargo airport,” Kuria stated adding that the government would not be intimidated by squatters.
The government began the demolitions in earnest on Saturday, October 13, a day after Ruto ordered the Ministry of Land to revoke the titles of land in Athi River that had not been developed for over a decade.
Lower Eastern leaders, including Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka and Machakos governor Wavinya Ndeti, have criticized Ruto for authorizing the demolition.
Govt Speaks on Claims Athi River Demolitions Backed by Wealthy Investors
