Here's their portfolio - it could help you make an informed judgement depending on what they are into.
http://www.transcentury.co.ke/portfolio.asp
I think generally,the confidence in equity market is low and going public now wouldnt make sense. the other alternative for them to raise money cheaply is by going OTC. Looking into it in a positive way,they could just be rationalising their investments by trying to acquire cheaper funds instead of taking up the loans at currently high interest rates.
their portfolio doesnt look that bad to me except for the RVR.
I wouldnt really say they will be irrelevant come 2013 coz i know those in Kenyatta era are still relevant today..... all these goons in power are cut from the same cloth and even if we change guard at the house on the hill,if the occupant or his cronies are given a 5% shareholding in Tanelec,you think they will touch these companies? Never! In any case,they all have interests so dont rule them out any time soon... they arent stupid either and the promoters know how to play in rough waters.
Experience is what you get when you don't get what you want.