By Njeri Irungu,
5 March 2026,
Nairobi, Kenya.
Opposition Coalition Opposes Infrastructure Fund Bill, Safaricom Divestiture Plan
Leaders of the United Alternative Government have strongly opposed the proposed National Infrastructure Fund Bill, 2026 and the government’s plan to partially divest its stake in Safaricom, warning that the two initiatives could undermine Kenya’s constitutional framework for public finance management and weaken strategic national assets.
Speaking during a press briefing in Nairobi, senior opposition figures including former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka, Democratic Action Party–Kenya leader Eugene Wamalwa, and former National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi said the two policy instruments represent what they termed a coordinated attempt to bypass established oversight structures governing public resources.
The leaders argued that the National Infrastructure Fund Bill risks creating a parallel financial structure outside the constitutional framework that regulates public revenue and expenditure. According to the coalition, Kenya already has numerous public funds operating outside the Consolidated Fund with overlapping mandates and weak accountability, making the creation of an additional fund unnecessary.
Citing Article 206 of the Constitution, the opposition leaders maintained that all public revenue should flow through the Consolidated Fund and be subject to parliamentary approval. They warned that the proposed infrastructure fund could function as a semi-autonomous financial vehicle capable of deploying significant public resources without adequate parliamentary oversight.
The coalition also raised concerns over statements attributed to Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi regarding the legal status of the proposed Sh5 trillion fund. They claimed that information presented to Parliament differed from details contained in an affidavit reportedly filed at the Milimani High Court, which described the entity as a limited liability company that had not been incorporated at the time assurances were given to legislators.
Beyond the infrastructure fund proposal, the opposition also criticised Sessional Paper No. 3 of 2025, which proposes a partial divestiture of the government’s stake in Safaricom. They described the telecommunications company as a critical national asset that underpins Kenya’s digital payments ecosystem through M-PESA and supports key government service platforms such as eCitizen.
According to the leaders, Safaricom’s consistent profitability makes it one of the government’s most reliable revenue-generating investments, noting that the company declared dividends exceeding KSh48 billion in the 2024 financial year. They warned that selling part of the state’s stake to plug short-term fiscal gaps could weaken a strategic asset that has long supported the country’s economy.
The coalition further questioned whether adequate safeguards had been established regarding who would be allowed to acquire the divested shares, raising concerns about potential national security risks if ownership structures are not clearly defined or regulated.
The opposition also cited the controversial initial public offering of the Kenya Pipeline Company as a cautionary example of government asset transactions that have faced scrutiny over pricing, advisor selection and limited retail investor participation. They argued that the experience highlights the need for stronger oversight before undertaking any further divestiture of public assets.
The United Alternative Government called on Parliament to reject the National Infrastructure Fund Bill in its current form and withdraw Sessional Paper No. 3 of 2025 pending a comprehensive review of the country’s strategic assets. The coalition said it remains committed to protecting constitutional governance, fiscal transparency and the long-term economic interests of Kenyans.