This archive report was first published on 29 July 2019.
July 29, 2019, marked a significant setback in the sale of five State-owned sugar millers, with the Privatisation Commission citing political interference as the reason for the delay.
According to the commission's Chief Executive, Joseph Koskey, unnamed politicians have been inciting sugar farmers against the sale process, making it challenging for the commission to proceed.
The commission had initially planned to dispose of the loss-making entities by July 2019, but the process has stalled due to various factors, including the delay in the release of the sugar task force reform report.
Mr. Koskey stated that the findings of the task force, appointed by President Uhuru Kenyatta, could inform the future of the millers, but the delay in the report's release has tied the commission's hands.
“The challenge that we face is that the entire process is not entirely within our control,” Mr. Koskey told the Business Daily. “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 to present an update on the troubled sale process of the State-owned millers.
