A section of Kenyans raised concerns on what would happen to the currency if government’s plan to privatize the Kenyatta International Convention Center (KICC) sails through.
This is because KICC is one of the conspicuous used in designing of the local currency.
Once sold, KICC would become a private entity. The owner would most likely own all the claims and rights to it.
So for KICC to continue being displayed on the local currency, the government will have to acquire authorization from the new private owner.
Led by Kileleshwa Member of County Assembly Robert Alai, Kenyans questioned how that could be actualized.
“When they eventually sell KICC, do we change our currency or they will have the image of a private property?” Alai wondered.
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna on the other hand reprimanded President William Ruto’s administration for sidelining Kenyans in the privatization push.
Sifuna argued that Kenyans needed to be involved through a referendum.
“If ever there was a matter over which a referendum was mandatory then its the sale of National Assets like KICC, KPC and the others,” Sifuna wrote on X.
” One generation of greedy leaders cannot just strip a Nation of its assets without reference to the people.On this one even our children should vote because KICC is not even our property as the current generation of adults!” he added.
KICC was among entities listed to privatization.
Others included Kenya Pipeline Company, New Kenya Cooperative Creameries (NKCC), National Oil Cooperation, Kenya Seed Company and the Kenya Literature Bureau (KLB).
Mwea Rice Mills (MRM), Western Kenya Rice Mills, Numerical Machining Complex, Vehicle Manufacturers Limited (KVM), and Rivatex East Africa (REAL).
The government is seeking to privatize the entities to bring back to profitability.
