FIA Kenya Calls for Immediate Halt to all Privatization of Public Services and State Assets
NAIROBI, Kenya, Nov 13 – The Fight Inequality Alliance Kenya (FIA Kenya) has raised an alarm over privatization as it threatens the social and economic fabric of the nation, they demand that the government halt the sale of public assets and to put the needs of ordinary Kenyans ahead of external loan conditions.
While addressing the media in Nairobi they highlighted the real human costs: job losses, reduced access to public services and increased inequality and demand immediate moratorium on all privatization of public services and assets and call for open, inclusive debate on Kenya’s economic future.
They noted that privatization does not benefit ordinary Kenyans but increases inequality, reduces public control over our shared resources, and risks making essential services unaffordable for millions, the government and international lenders must prioritize the well-being of all citizens not just short-term profit or debt targets Public services are for everyone, not a privileged few.
In October 2025 President Ruto signed the Privatization Bill into law marking a major turning point for the country’s economic direction, the new legislation streamlines the process for selling or transferring state assets, including more than 30 state-owned enterprises in ports, energy, agriculture, transport, and water services.
The move comes amid mounting public debt, which has now surpassed KSh 11.8 trillion (more than 65% of GDP) and continued pressure from the IMF and World Bank for Kenya to privatize key public services as part of structural adjustment programs.
“Unchecked privatization could rapidly erode Kenya’s safety nets and undermine our ability to recover from economic shocks, the question is urgent: must we sacrifice our public resources for quick profit, risking the very future of Kenyan society?”.
Additionally, FIA Kenya’s Key demands includes; Immediate halt to all privatization of public services and state assets, Protection and expansion of public services, not their sale, Full public consultation and parliamentary oversight before any economic reforms, Rejection of IMF and World Bank loan conditions that require privatization or austerity, Protection of workers’ rights and job security in all sectors.
Transparency in debt management, privatization contracts and negotiations with lenders, Debt cancellation and fairer international financial relations Further, they noted that Privatization threatens equality, jobs and access for all, as IMF and parliamentary decisions near, we urge the media to spotlight these urgent risks and support a halt to privatization.
“IMF and World Bank should stop pushing privatization as a solution to economic troubles, Kenya must invest more in public services, not sell them. FIA Kenya champions economic justice, public ownership, and dignity for all Kenyans”.
Kenya’s Public Debt as s of October 2025, Kenya’s public debt is at Ksh 11.8 trillion, more than 65% of GDP. More than half of all tax revenue (65.5%) goes toward debt repayment.
The Recent Privatization Push, Privatization Bill 2025 targets more than 30 state-owned enterprises for sale or transfer which include strategic assets in ports, energy, agriculture, transport, and water services.
IMF and World Bank Influence Kenya’s ongoing program with the IMF emphasizes “structural reforms” which include austerity and privatization these conditionalities have often required cuts to public spending.
Partial privatization of Kenya Airways and Telkom Kenya resulted in debt, layoffs and later government bailouts.
“Sustainable alternatives to privatization: Abolishment of tax incentive, taxes on wealth, Impact on People: Increased cost of living, reduced public spending funding, widening inequality”.
