Kitui residents demand fair share of Safaricom divestiture funds across all counties
By Cy Muganda, February 4, 2026Residents of Kitui County have urged the Parliamentary Committee considering Sessional Paper 3 of 2025 to guarantee an equitable and diversified investment plan across all counties before approving the proposed partial divestiture of the government’s shareholding in Safaricom PLC.
In a statement posted on its Facebook account on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, Parliament disclosed that during a public engagement session held jointly by the Departmental Committee on Finance and National Planning and the Select Committee on Public Debt and Privatisation, participants voiced strong opposition to the current proposal, which suggests directing all proceeds into a National Infrastructure Fund.
“While acknowledging that national infrastructure projects can accelerate growth, residents argued that rural counties face more immediate priorities, specifically in health and education,” the statement reads.
Demand for equitable investment
The session, led by Kitui Rural MP David Mboni at the Kitui Multi-Purpose Hall in Kitui Town, saw residents calling for the ring-fencing of divestiture proceeds to ensure that funds are appropriated for pre-approved, high-value projects across all 47 counties, rather than concentrated in mega infrastructure initiatives that may benefit limited regions.
“What is our stake in the proposed divestiture? Why isn’t the government proposing to enhance its allocation to sectors such as education and health, which are our priorities as Kitui County residents,” Musau from Kitui Central asked.
Responding to these concerns, Mboni noted that while the demand for diversified projects is sound, large-scale infrastructure remains a powerful economic catalyst, citing the Thwake Dam as a prime example of positive local impact.
“While I agree with your sentiments on the matter, let us not shy away from supporting mega infrastructure Projects such as Thwake Dam, which could spur economic growth faster,” he urged.
“We are at a position where we cannot borrow further to fund some of these infrastructure projects. We shall, however, be proposing that these proceeds be ringfenced to ensure they are used for the intended projects,” he added.
Kitui Woman Representative Irene Kasalu also raised concerns over the valuation of the proposed sale, arguing that the suggested price of Ksh34 per share does not reflect Safaricom’s future value.
While stating her opposition to the divestiture, she said public views would be central to the Committee’s final recommendations.
Beyond the use of the proceeds, residents also questioned the structure of the proposed sale, suggesting that a portion of the divested shares should be offered to Kenyan citizens rather than being sold exclusively to a foreign entity.
“Vodacom is just a company like Safaricom. Why does the government want to cede majority shareholding to a foreign company, yet a portion of these shares can be allocated for sale to the public?” Musangi, a resident of Kitui town asked.
Additional concerns were raised over the future composition of Safaricom’s board, job security for existing employees and the long-term fate of the Safaricom Foundation once the proposed three-year status quo period lapses.
Committee pledges accountability
The Vice Chairperson of the Finance and National Planning Committee, Benjamin Langat, assured residents that Parliament would take a more cautious approach before endorsing the divestiture.
Drawing lessons from past borrowing decisions, he said the Committee would seek firm commitments from the National Treasury on how the funds would be utilised.
“I want to assure you that we shall be keener this time round. We do not want to repeat what we did in the 11th Parliament when we approved the government’s uptake of the Euro Bond without tying the monies to specific projects. We’re yet to ascertain how that money was spent,” he said.
Lunga Lunga MP Mangale Chiforomondo said the Committee had no intention of coercing the public into supporting the government’s position, noting that citizen input was essential to strengthening the legislative process.
The Committee is scheduled to hold its next public hearing in Embu County on Friday, February 6, 2026.