The Privatisation Commission of Kenya has refuted reports that it intends to sell East African Portland Cement to private investors, amidst the ongoing demolition of squatter houses. This denial followed the circulation of a viral post on social media suggesting that Kenya Pipeline and other key state-owned enterprises were on the verge of being sold.
This statement from the Privatisation Commission comes just two months after the Ministry of Trade indicated that they had identified a buyer for the state’s Ksh15 billion stake in Portland Cement. According to Industry Principal Secretary (PS) Juma Mukhwana, the Ministry had approved a plan allowing a strategic investor to acquire a 30 percent stake in the company.
The viral post coincided with the demolitions of buildings on the Portland Cement property, resulting in significant property losses for affected Kenyans.
The Commission clarified, “Kindly note the program circulating on social media is fake.” They pointed out that the post, although genuine, was derived from resolutions of an August 12, 2009, cabinet meeting chaired by former President Mwai Kibaki. During that meeting, the cabinet had approved the privatization of 26 companies, including Portland Cement. Other key companies earmarked for sale included KenGen, sections of the Kenya Ports Authority, Kenya Co-operative Creameries, and Kenya Meat Commission.
On October 9, the cabinet led by President William Ruto reversed this decision, stating that only underperforming companies would be considered for privatization. The East African Portland Cement facility in Athi River has been a focal point of controversy, with the government asserting that the residents there had acquired the land illegally.
The process of relocating people from the extensive land began in November 2022, when former Trade Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria revealed the government’s intention to use the site for cargo storage. Kuria stated, “East African Portland Company will not become a center for land transactions. We have plans to utilize the land in question by constructing the first Kenya cargo airport,” emphasizing that the government would not be deterred by squatters.
The government initiated the demolitions in earnest on Saturday, October 13, following Ruto’s order to the Ministry of Land to revoke titles of land that had remained undeveloped in Athi River for over 10 years. Leaders from Lower Eastern, including Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka and Machakos Governor Wavinya Ndeti, have criticized Ruto for authorizing the demolitions.
