𝐒𝐄𝐍𝐀𝐓𝐎𝐑 𝐎𝐌𝐓𝐀𝐓𝐀𝐇 𝐒𝐄𝐄𝐊𝐒 𝐂𝐋𝐀𝐑𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐎𝐍 𝐏𝐑𝐈𝐕𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐙𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐎𝐅 𝐖𝐄𝐁𝐔𝐘𝐄 𝐏𝐀𝐍 𝐏𝐀𝐏𝐄𝐑 𝐌𝐈𝐋𝐋𝐒

𝐒𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫

𝐓𝐡𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝟑𝟎𝐭𝐡 𝐎𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓

Busia Senator Andrew Omtatah Okoiti has demanded transparency over the privatization and current operations of the Webuye Pan Paper Mills, now owned by Rai Paper Mills. While requesting for a statement on the Floor of the House, Sen. Omtatah said, “I rise pursuant to Standing Order 53(1) to seek a Statement from the Standing Committee on Trade, Industrialization, and Tourism regarding the privatization and current operations of Webuye Pan Paper Mills.”

The Senator questioned the sale of the factory in 2016 to Tarlochan Limited, a subsidiary of the Rai Group, at KES 900 million—an amount he says is far below government's valuation. “Kenyans deserve to know how a major public asset was sold at such a low price and whether due process was followed under the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act of 2015,” Omtatah insisted.

He urged the committee to investigate whether the Rai Group has met its investment and modernization obligations. “If the investor has failed to deliver on their commitments or violated the law during privatization, then remedial action must be taken,” he asserted.

Senator Omtatah emphasized that the public must be informed about the factory’s operational levels, employee welfare, and compliance with environmental and labour standards.