Ruto praises MPs for backing Kenya Pipeline sale
By Kenneth Mwenda, October 4, 2025President William Ruto has praised Members of Parliament for approving the privatisation of the Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC), a move that has sharply divided opinion in the country.
Speaking at the Nyang’ori PAG Church Centenary in Vihiga County on Saturday, October 4, 2025, Ruto thanked MPs for passing key motions that he said would help raise funds to transform Kenya’s economy.
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“Na mimi nataka niwashukuru wabunge. Wabunge sasa wamepitisha ile mipango ambayo itatusaidia kuinua Kenya iende sasa kiwango kingine. Wametusaidia, wamepitisha Sessional Paper IPO ambayo itatusaidia kukusanya pesa karibu 120 – 130 billion kupitia kampuni ya Kenya Pipeline,” Ruto said.
“Wamepitisha tuweze kupata Privatization Bill ambayo itatusaidia kutafuta pesa. Ambayo itasaidia kujenga hazina maalum ya kubadilisha Kenya. We are in the process of establishing two important funds: one infrastructure fund and the other, which we are going to roll out, a sovereign wealth fund. Kwa sababu hatuwezi kukula chakula yote ya leo. We must think about tomorrow.”
Opposition mounts fierce resistance
However, the decision to privatise KPC has faced strong criticism, especially from opposition leaders and some civil society groups. On Tuesday, October 1, opposition MPs staged a walkout in Parliament after the government side pushed through the motion. The lawmakers accused the government of sneaking the motion into the order paper without proper consultation.
Funyula MP Wilberforce Oundo described the move as “a crooked process, all skewed to benefit a few people, and leave Kenyans poorer than they were.” Kathiani MP Robert Mbui also vowed to challenge the matter in court, arguing that the process lacked public participation.
Lawyer Willis Otieno went further, accusing the government of reducing itself to a broker. He warned that the sale was not genuine privatisation but a plan to transfer public assets into private hands for the benefit of a few individuals.
Opposition figures such as Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka have also spoken out strongly. Kalonzo warned Ruto against attempting to sell KPC, describing it as a strategic asset crucial to the country’s energy security. He reminded the government that the High Court had already issued conservatory orders blocking the planned sale pending a full hearing.
Government stands firm on sale
Despite the backlash, the government has defended the move. Trade Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui argued that privatisation should not be feared, noting that other state firms such as Safaricom grew stronger after being opened to private investors. He added that governments are not designed to run businesses but to create an environment where private capital can thrive.
ODM leader Raila Odinga also supported the plan, saying the sale would not mean the asset leaves the country.
“Even if you sell it, where is somebody taking it to? The pipeline is underground,” Raila said in September.