The Kenya Petroleum Oil Workers’ Union (KPOWU) has gone to court seeking to block the government from proceeding with the planned privatization of the Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC).
Through its lawyers, the union accused the National Treasury and KPC management of conducting the process in secrecy, with no guarantees on job security for thousands of workers.
“Our members have dedicated their lives to building and maintaining this company. We cannot allow a secretive process that risks their jobs and the country’s energy security,” KPOWU said in its affidavit.
Court Petition Targets Treasury and Parliament
In its petition, the union wants the High Court to restrain Treasury from initiating an Initial Public Offering (IPO), hiring transaction advisers, or signing any deal to sell government shares in KPC.
KPOWU also seeks orders to stop Parliament from debating or approving Sessional Paper No. 2 of 2025, which sets out the framework for privatization.
KPC Declared Strategic National Asset
The union argued that KPC, which operates Kenya’s petroleum pipeline and storage infrastructure, is a strategic national asset that must remain under public control. It warned that handing it to private investors without safeguards or public participation would compromise national security and economic stability.
The case marks the second challenge to the plan. The Consumer Federation of Kenya (Cofek) has already filed a separate suit against the Treasury, the Privatization Authority, the National Assembly, and the Attorney General, faulting the process as unconstitutional and against public interest.
Justice Bahati Mwamuye directed that the matter be placed before the court for further directions.
 has gone to court seeking to block the government from proceeding with the planned privatization of the Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC).){kind=link}