NAIROBI, Kenya — Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has strongly opposed the proposed sale of the Kenyan government’s 15 percent stake in Safaricom PLC to South Africa’s Vodacom, warning that the transaction would leave the country a minority shareholder in what he described as one of its most strategic national assets.
In a statement on Monday, Kalonzo argued that Safaricom is more than a telecommunications company, saying it holds immense economic, technological, and national security significance that should remain under substantial Kenyan ownership.
“The proposed sale of Kenya’s 15pc stake in Safaricom PLC to Vodacom would reduce the Republic to a minority shareholder in its own crown jewel, a national telecommunications asset of strategic, economic, and security significance. This we cannot and will not accept,” he said.
His remarks come after the Court of Appeal lifted conservatory orders that had temporarily halted the proposed transaction, a move that potentially clears the way for the deal to proceed pending the determination of the main case.
However, Kalonzo insisted that the appellate court’s decision should not be interpreted as judicial approval of the transaction.
“The Court of Appeal has now lifted the conservatory order. But the lifting of that order is not a green light. It is not judicial endorsement of the transaction. The legal battle continues, and the substantive questions of law and public interest remain squarely before the courts,” he stated.
The opposition leader cautioned potential investors against concluding the transaction while the matter remains before the courts, invoking the legal principle of caveat emptor—let the buyer beware.
“Any transaction concluded in the shadow of live litigation, against the expressed opposition of the Kenyan people, and without transparent parliamentary sanction, is a transaction concluded at risk,” Kalonzo said.
He vowed that the opposition would continue challenging the proposed sale through all available legal and political avenues.
“We will pursue every lawful avenue in the courts, in Parliament, and before the people to ensure that Kenya does not surrender control of Safaricom on the altar of opaque dealmaking,” he added.
The proposed acquisition has generated public debate over state ownership of strategic national assets, with critics arguing that reducing Kenya’s shareholding could weaken public influence over a company that plays a central role in the country’s telecommunications infrastructure, digital payments ecosystem and broader economy.
Supporters of the transaction, however, have argued that any shareholding changes would be subject to regulatory approvals and corporate governance processes.