Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru has asked President William Ruto to permit rice farmers to buy the government's 55 per cent stake in Mwea Rice Mills (MRM) when it undergoes privatization.
Speaking during Jamhuri Day celebrations at Good Samaritan Secondary School grounds in Mutithi, Waiguru expressed her commitment to ensuring that Kirinyaga rice farmers obtain full control of the mill noting that the county government will help in the acquisition of the National government's shares.
“In so doing, the farmers will operate and manage the mill to be a profit-making venture, providing an avenue for the farmers to gain economic independence. As a county, we will make sure that any agreements done, will leave our rice farmers more empowered and not feeling disenfranchised,” Waiguru affirmed.
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“It is, therefore, my duty to advise the farmers to place themselves strategically to take up the offer to buy the government shares when that time comes,” Waiguru added.
The county boss also acknowledged the prevailing high cost of living attributing it to the increased taxation.
However, she reassured the people that it's a work in progress and they should be patient and give Kenya Kwanza time to turn things around.
“We are well aware of the high cost of living occasioned by high taxation; however, I assure you that we are on the right path and soon we will be out of the woods. I encourage all of us to have faith that the Kenya Kwanza will shortly, get this country to its growth path again,” the Governor said.
Privatization of State enterprises halted
On October 9, 2023, President Ruto approved the Privatization Bill, 2023, making it law with a commencement date of October 27, 2023.
The bill, contested by the ODM party, repealed the 2005 Privatization Act, introducing various provisions that grant extensive powers to the Executive to dispose of significant national assets, including Kenya's sovereign wealth.
According to ODM, the National Assembly and the President failed to safeguard the sovereignty of the Kenyan people in passing this controversial Act.
In a move towards privatization, the Ministry of Treasury, last month, proposed the privatization of state-owned enterprises such as the Kenya Pipeline Company, Kenya Literature Bureau (KLB), National Oil Corporation (NOC), and KICC.
The Treasury justified this decision by stating that some parastatals, reliant on government funding, required alternative revenue sources, while profitable ones needed to transition into limited companies.
Early this month, the High Court temporarily halted the government's privatization plans for the Kenya International Conference Center (KICC) and 10 other state-owned entities.
Justice Chacha Mwita issued conservatory orders, preventing the government from proceeding with the privatization of these institutions until the court hears and determines a case filed by Raila Odinga's Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party.
The orders suspend the implementation of section 21(1) of the Privatization Act 2023 until February 6, 2024.
The judge acknowledged that the ODM's petition raises significant constitutional and legal issues that merit thorough examination by the court.
