Consider national security in bid to privatise firms

Telkom mobile phone subscribers queue to upgrade their new sim cards registration Telkom house, Nairobi. [Elvis Ogina, Standard]

Former State House Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service Joseph Kinyua this week made a startling revelation regarding the sale of Telkom Kenya, first to Orange East Africa Ltd, which later sold its stake to Helios Investors LLP/Jamhuri Holding Limited (JHL).

Appearing before a joint sitting of the National Assembly Finance and National Planning and the Communication, Innovation and Information committees to explain circumstances that led to release of Sh6.2 billion from the National Treasury to buy back the 60 per cent stake Helios held in the telecommunications company without Parliament's approval, Mr Kinyua raised the security concerns behind the move.