Kenya Pipeline workers demand iron-clad job guarantees before privatisation
By Aloys Michael, August 13, 2025Workers of the Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) have told Parliament they want iron-clad job security guarantees before the proposed privatisation of the state corporation can move forward.
Appearing before the Joint Parliamentary Committee on Energy and the Committee on Public Debt and Privatisation on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, the Kenya Petroleum Workers Union warned that the exercise, if rushed and poorly handled, could threaten the livelihoods of hundreds of employees.
“We plead with this committee to ensure staff matters are fully addressed before approving this proposal,” the union’s Secretary-General told lawmakers.
The session was co-chaired by David Gikaria (Nakuru Town East) and Abdi Shurie (Balambala).
The union argued that the lack of clarity over the fate of employees had caused “unrest and distress” within the company, potentially undermining performance and service delivery.
“This situation has caused unrest and distress among the company employees, potentially affecting performance and service delivery,” the union representative said, adding that many staff members feel blindsided by the process.
The workers also criticised what they described as a rushed implementation of the privatisation plan, citing insufficient sensitisation and consultation with employees.
Protect jobs
In response, Gikaria assured the union that Parliament would not approve any privatisation process that undermines workers’ rights.
“The CS Treasury and CS Energy did assure the committee that no staff will be affected by the exercise, and we will ensure that this is fulfilled. This committee is seized of the matter, and any process will strictly follow existing employment laws,” Gikaria said.
In a detailed memorandum submitted to the joint committees, the union demanded an immediate suspension of the privatisation proposal. Instead, it called for alternative governance reforms and full disclosure of all relevant details before any decision is made.
One of the key proposals is to secure a legally binding guarantee that all current employees will retain their jobs, benefits, and union recognition, even if the company undergoes structural changes.
The union also challenged the rationale behind the plan to raise 100 billion shillings through privatisation. It argued that the same revenue could be achieved without selling off the company by streamlining operations and restructuring management to plug financial leaks linked to corruption.
“We believe that by sealing revenue losses associated with corrupt dealings and improving operational efficiency, KPC can raise significant capital without risking job security,” the union’s statement read.
The proposed sale of KPC is part of the government’s broader plan to privatise several state-owned enterprises to raise funds, reduce public debt, and improve efficiency. However, labour unions have consistently warned that such moves could lead to job cuts and erode labour protections.
The parliamentary committees are expected to review the workers’ concerns alongside government submissions before making any recommendations to the House.
For now, the union says it will continue engaging lawmakers to ensure its demands are addressed, warning that failure to secure worker protections could trigger industrial action.
“Our message is clear: no worker should lose their job, benefits, or union representation because of privatisation,” the union asserted.