Raila Raises Alarm Over Privatisation, Lease of Mombasa, Lamu Ports

Azimio leader Raila Amollo Odinga on Monday warned the Kenya Kwanza administration against entering an underhand lease arrangement with a private entity over the ports of Mombasa and Lamu.

While in Mombasa Raila Odinga (in Smithsonian hat) launched the Abdulswamad Sharif Nassir Education Fund. Photo: The Star

According to the former Prime Minister, the government’s failure to be open about its plans and involve all stakeholders raises suspicion that the port has been sold to a private investor.

“Why is the Kenya Kwanza so eagerly supporting the lease now when they were vehemently opposed to the same lease during the administration of President Uhuru Kenyatta?,” asked Raila, adding “Let them specify what Mombasa will benefit from in this lease and who are behind it.”

Last week President Ruto said the government had no plans to sell off the two ports through privatisation and was only working on a concession arrangement to improve their efficiency and profitability.

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The port of Mombasa. Photo: Kenya Ports Authority

Meanwhile, as Raila was acting out his watchdog role in Mombasa, President Ruto was inaugurating work on important roads and bridges in Raila’s home Constituency of Bondo.