Mumias East MP Peter Kalerwa Salasya has raised fresh concerns over proposals that could allow foreign investors to acquire a larger stake in Safaricom, saying such a move would undermine Kenya’s control over a key pillar of its digital economy.
In a statement shared on X, the legislator urged the government to safeguard public ownership in strategic institutions, warning that ceding majority control would erode the country’s economic independence.
Salasya argued that M-Pesa’s central role in Kenya’s financial architecture demands strict protection, describing it as a system that has transformed daily transactions and positioned the country as a global leader in mobile money innovation.
According to him, permitting external ownership beyond current levels would jeopardise a platform relied upon by millions of households and enterprises for payments, savings, and business operations.
The MP also referenced the presence of Vodafone in several African markets, noting that the company already enjoys significant dominance in South Africa, Nigeria, Tanzania, and parts of West Africa.
He cautioned that Kenya should avoid a similar pattern, especially in a sector that contributes substantial revenue to the exchequer and forms a core part of national identity.
His remarks come at a time when conversations about investment, shareholding, and regulatory reforms in the telecommunications industry continue to generate public interest.
Kenya’s political history includes repeated debates on the management of state-linked enterprises, particularly those seen as strategic assets.
The push-and-pull has appeared in discussions about energy utilities, transport parastatals, and key financial institutions such as KCB, where lawmakers and policymakers have often clashed over whether privatisation enhances efficiency or threatens sovereignty.
Salasya’s intervention positions the Safaricom debate within this broader national conversation on ownership and public interest.
In his statement, Salasya insisted that the government should retain strong control over Safaricom and similar high-performing institutions.
He said their profitability and innovation capacity continue to support national development, citing M-Pesa as a technology that has boosted Kenya’s global reputation and sustained economic activity for close to two decades.