Raila Odinga says it is sad that Adani’s contract for expansion JKIA failed: “They brought politics”

• Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga complained of the cancellation of a major airport expansion agreement between the Kenyan government and the Indian company Adani Group, saying the decision was based on politics and was very sad
• Speaking during a leadership meeting held in Kajiado, Raila warned that the move would destroy Kenya’s role as the main airline in East Africa
• He said political interference has prevented the important infrastructure project that has been delayed since it was launched in 2012
• Raila warned that neighboring countries like Ethiopia and Rwanda are moving forward fast by building modern stadiums, with Kenya risking staying behind

Kajiado – ODM party leader, Raila Odingahe has expressed his dissatisfaction with the decision to cancel the airport expansion agreement with India’s largest company, Adani Group.

Sadly, Raila warned that Nairobi could lose its position as the best airline for East Africa.

Addressing the third meeting of the National General Assembly at the Leadership Center KCB In Kajiado, Raila said that Kenya’s geographical position puts it in a unique position to be the main gate of Africa.

However, the former prime minister complained that politics had delayed the project of important infrastructure.

“Kenya is in a very strategic location. Raila said.

Raila’s warning about JKIA expansion

Raila, who has long been supporting the cooperation between the public and private sectors, said the cancellation of the treaty was a serious decision.

Despite the objections against the plan, the former prime minister stressed that the agreement was further canceled for political reasons than a fundamental assessment.

“When we brought Adani, they began to enter a lot of politics, and the agreement was canceled,” He explained.

He reminded that the same airport expansion project has been released and canceled several times since its inception in 2012 under the government’s government led by the President Mwai Kibaki.

Raila warned that delays in expanding Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) will reduce Kenya’s competition against regional opponents like Ethiopia and Rwanda, who are already developing modern airports.

“See Addis Ababa. They are doing well, now they are building a great modern airport. he added.

He said that even if Kenya Airways works at a loss, it can still be a major catalyst for tourism, trade and investment – as Emirates does in the UAE.

Why did Ruto cancel the contract with Adani?

As previously reported, a cooperation agreement between the Kenyan government and the ADANI Group to expand the JKIA was canceled in 2024 following a direct order from the President William Ruto.

In a speech to Parliament on the National State on November 21, 2024, President Ruto ordered the immediate cancellation of the Adani-JKIA agreement, as well as another agreement involving the Kenya Electricity Distribution Corporation (KETRACO), citing concerns about the corruption and integrity of the Indian company.

The decision followed the allegations of corruption filed in the United States against billionaire Gautam Adani, founder of the Adani Group.

Ruto said that the government could not continue any project with genuine suspicion of moral violations.

Read English version

Do you have an exciting information that you would like to publish? Please, contact us via news@tuko.co.ke or WhatsApp: 0732482690.

Source: TUKO.co.ke