The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has issued a fresh demand to President William Ruto following his cancellation of two controversial agreements with India's Adani Group, valued at Ksh338 billion. The LSK is pressing the government to disclose all costs and potential losses incurred during the negotiation of the now-scrapped deals.
In a statement, LSK President Faith Odhiambo commended Ruto for the decision, describing it as a move aligned with the will of the Kenyan people. However, she emphasized the need for transparency, urging the government to account for any public funds spent on the negotiations and ensure proper safeguards against future losses.
“We welcome this presidential directive, which prioritizes the interests of the Kenyan people. However, we challenge the government to disclose all costs and losses associated with these deals to uphold transparency and accountability,” said Odhiambo.
The deals in question involved Adani Group's planned takeover of the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) for renovation and operation over 30 years at a cost of Ksh238 billion and a Ksh95 billion project to build and manage electricity transmission lines in partnership with KETRACO.
President Ruto announced the cancellation during his State of the Nation Address, citing public outcry and newly unearthed information from investigative agencies.
“I now direct...that the procuring agencies in the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum immediately cancel the ongoing procurement process for the JKIA expansion public-private partnership,” Ruto stated.
The president’s decision followed fraud charges filed against Adani Group executives in the U.S., further fueling public distrust of the agreements.
While the cancellations have been widely welcomed, questions linger about the financial repercussions for Kenya. If Adani Group seeks compensation for damages, lost returns, or investments, the country could face significant costs. LSK has called for a proactive approach to mitigate potential losses and prevent similar controversies in the future.
The pressure now mounts on the government to provide clarity and accountability in the wake of these high-profile cancellations.
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