Vihiga residents share mixed views on Safaricom share sale

Vihiga county residents attending a public forum to discuss the proposed sale of government shares in Safaricom at Praise Center Church Mbale on February 9, 2026./KNA

The Departmental Committee on Finance and National Planning and the Select Committee on Public Debt and Privatization held a public hearing on the consideration of sessional paper No. 3 of 2025 on the partial sale of government shares in Safaricom PLC at Praise Center Church Mbale in Vihiga county on Monday.

The public hearing sought Vihiga county residents’ views and opinions on the government’s plan to raise development funds through the sale of 15 per cent of the 35 per cent shares it currently owns in Safaricom PLC.

The initiative, proposed by the government to reduce borrowing and avoid increasing public debt, is expected to raise Sh204 billion through a negotiated transaction of Sh34 per share.

A resident of Hamisi subcounty, Tambua ward, Derrick Mahaya, was in agreement with the government’s proposal to sell the shares. Speaking at the event, he said the move will reduce the tax burden on citizens.

He added that the sale of the government shares will help improve infrastructure in the country through the building of roads, airports and other transport systems.

Vihiga subcounty resident Felix Adogo opposed the sale of the shares. He said the supposed benefits the government claims will accrue to citizens seem far-fetched because of the usual misappropriation of funds by corrupt individuals.

He also questioned the visible absence of local leaders, who in his view are supposed to be present during such discussions to hear constituents’ views on the matter.

John Ishuga, a member of civil society, questioned why the government should sell shares of a profit-making entity, describing the proposal as a scam because the government had failed to revive defunct entities.

At the public hearing, Karachuonyo MP Adipo Okuome said the committee had been sent to collect public opinion on the government’s proposal, representing the National Assembly.

He clarified that the proposal was never from the National Assembly but from the Executive, after many residents had raised concern about the National Assembly pushing for the share sale.

He added that he was happy with the feedback they had received and promised to submit the residents’ views.

Balambala MP Abdi Shurie responded to residents’ concerns about selling the shares to Vodacom, saying the company was preferred because of its immense knowledge in the communication sector.

He said the sale of the shares will be at a premium price, ensuring better value.

Nyaribari Masaba MP Daniel Manduku, who chaired the committee, concluded by assuring residents present at the hearing that all their views will be submitted to Parliament.

He asked residents to trust that the committee would take every word spoken at the hearing with seriousness and consideration.