President William Ruto has officially reappointed Feisal Abass as the non-executive Chairperson of the Privatisation Commission, giving him another three-year term at the helm of the key state agency.
The announcement was made through a gazette notice dated July 18, which confirmed that Abass will continue in his leadership role as part of the government’s broader push to reform and streamline operations within the public sector.
“In exercise of the powers granted under section 5(1)(a) of the Privatisation Act, I, William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces, hereby reappoint Feisal Abass as the non-executive Chairperson of the Privatisation Commission,” the gazette notice stated.
Reappointment Signals Continuity in Government’s Privatisation Agenda
Abass’s return to the Commission signals the government’s continued commitment to its privatisation programme, which aims to boost economic efficiency and attract private sector investment. The Privatisation Commission, which was established under the Privatisation Act of 2005, serves as a corporate body responsible for:
- Advising the government on matters related to privatisation of state-owned enterprises
- Designing and managing the implementation of Kenya’s privatisation strategy
- Overseeing a fair and transparent privatisation process to promote national economic development
Abass originally held the same position after being appointed by former President Uhuru Kenyatta in July 2022, and now returns under Ruto’s leadership at a time when privatisation efforts are gaining momentum.
Ruto Highlights Privatisation Goals in London Address
During an address at the London Stock Exchange on Wednesday, July 2, President Ruto underlined his administration’s plans to fast-track the privatisation of key government assets, using modern approaches like Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) on the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) to draw in more private investors.
He emphasized that privatisation is not just about offloading public assets, but rather enhancing operational efficiency, expanding private sector participation, and unlocking long-term economic growth.
“We are fully committed to a well-structured and time-bound programme to identify and prepare a solid pipeline of government-owned assets for privatisation. These assets will either be listed at the stock exchange or restructured through partnerships with the private sector,” Ruto said, in comments reported by Reuters.
One of the flagship projects under this plan includes the planned IPO of the Kenya Pipeline Company, which the government intends to list on the NSE later this year.
Abass Brings Extensive Public and Private Sector Experience
Feisal Abass’s reappointment comes at a pivotal time, as the government implements changes under the Privatisation Act of 2023, a newly revised legal framework aimed at accelerating and strengthening the privatisation process.
Abass is widely respected in both the public and private sectors. He holds:
- A Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the American University in Cairo
- A Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Strategic Management from the University of Nairobi
His academic background, coupled with his hands-on experience in both policy and enterprise management, positions him to guide the Privatisation Commission as it navigates complex restructuring and asset transfer processes.
Looking Ahead
With Feisal Abass back in charge, the Commission is expected to ramp up efforts to execute President Ruto’s economic blueprint, particularly in reducing state involvement in commercial ventures while expanding opportunities for private sector growth and public investment.
His three-year term is set against the backdrop of legal reform, international investor interest, and growing expectations from Kenyans for better service delivery and responsible management of public resources.
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