Kalonzo: Accountability Now—Kenya Is Not for Sale

Wiper Party leader Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka has warned the government against what he termed the “rushed and unconstitutional disposal” of key national assets, saying Kenya’s strategic institutions must not be put up for sale under the guise of economic reform.

Speaking yesterday in Nairobi during the launch of the People’s Audit Report by TISA and the Okoa Uchumi Campaign, Mr. Musyoka said the report offers a stark reflection of the country’s growing fiscal distress, adding that Kenya is now grappling with a public debt burden exceeding **KSh 12.5 trillion**.

Mr. Musyoka commended the organisations behind the report for what he described as an unfiltered assessment of the country’s financial management, noting that the findings capture the real struggles Kenyans are facing under poor governance and runaway mismanagement of public resources.

“The real problem is not only the size of the debt, but how we got here,” he said. “Reckless borrowing, inflated and abandoned projects, and the weakening of oversight institutions have pushed Kenya to the brink.”

The Wiper leader criticised recent moves to privatise key national assets — including Safaricom shares, Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, and Kenya Pipeline — warning that such actions are being undertaken without transparency or public participation.

“This is unacceptable. It is unconstitutional. And it will not stand,” he said. “Countries do not prosper by selling their inheritance; they prosper by protecting it.”

He dismissed comparisons between Kenya and Singapore put forward by government officials, saying Kenya cannot emulate Singapore while operating under “chaos, impunity, and entrenched corruption.”

Mr. Musyoka called for urgent reforms, including a transparent debt restructuring process, stronger parliamentary oversight, protection of constitutional watchdogs such as the Auditor-General and Controller of Budget, and deeper reforms in procurement and public investment management.

He also raised concerns over shrinking civic space, noting that a government confident in its policies should not intimidate or silence citizens.

As the country heads toward the 2027 General Election, the former Vice President reiterated his commitment to a governance model anchored on transparency, accountability, and the protection of public assets.

“Kenya deserves leadership that is steady, honest, and accountable. Our children deserve a country that cannot be bought or sold,” he said.

Mr. Musyoka said the People’s Audit offers the country a critical starting point, urging Kenyans to confront the truth and demand reforms necessary to stabilise the nation’s finances.