This archive report was first published on 29 July 2019.
July 29, 2019
The sale of five State-owned sugar millers has stalled, with the Privatisation Commission citing political interference as the main obstacle.
Chief executive Joseph Koskey blamed unnamed politicians for inciting sugar farmers against the sale process, which was expected to be completed by this month.
Mr Koskey also pointed out that the delay in releasing the sugar task force reform report had tied the commission's hands, as the findings of the report could inform the future of the millers.
“The challenge that we face is that the entire process is not entirely within our control,” Mr Koskey said. “When politicians make pronouncements saying ‘we cannot allow our sugar companies to be sold’ and they go inciting people, when you want to send transaction advisers to the ground to work it becomes a problem.”
Mr Koskey is expected to appear before the Senate Committee on Agriculture, accompanied by Treasury officials and CS Mwangi Kiunjuri, to present an update on the sale process.
