NAIROBI, Kenya – Members of Parliament sharply criticized Roads and Transport Principal Secretary Mohamed Daghar on Thursday for presenting what they deemed a “shallow” and “Googled” submission on the controversial Adani-JKIA takeover deal.
The Debt and Privatization Committee, chaired by Balambala MP Shurie Abdi, expressed frustration, alleging the PS failed to address specific questions on the project’s timeline, due diligence, and execution, leaving the committee unsatisfied.
MPs were reportedly unimpressed by Daghar’s lack of in-depth information, describing his presentation as more suitable for an internet search than a parliamentary briefing.
Balambala MP Shurie Abdi rebuked Daghar for a perceived lack of preparedness: “Honestly speaking, it feels like you’re simply ticking the box by showing up here with information that any citizen could pull from a website. This committee deals with complex PPP matters, and what you’ve presented is embarrassingly basic.”
Lagdera MP Mohamed Abdikadir was the first to interrupt Daghar, questioning the quality of the report and implying that the PS was not meeting the committee’s expectations.
“This is a very shallow report; it’s the kind of information one could easily pull from websites. We need specific details on project timelines, the deal’s progression, and the expected benefits for Kenyans,” he stated.
Omboko Milemba, another committee member, echoed the frustration, describing the presentation as an “embarrassment” for the PS, while questioning why Daghar had come with such limited information.
Attempting to clarify, PS Daghar cited pending court cases as the primary reason for the limited progress on the Adani partnership, noting these legal battles had stalled due diligence, stakeholder consultations, and other procedural steps.
He emphasized that the government had not yet entered into a binding agreement with Adani Airport Holdings, with discussions only reaching a “non-binding Heads of Terms” phase.
“It is imperative to emphasize that no legally binding agreement has been finalized between the Kenya Airports Authority and Adani Airport Holdings Ltd. The discussions have only led to a non-binding Heads of Terms document outlining preliminary terms agreed upon in principle,” Daghar said.
Despite his explanations, the committee insisted Daghar return with a more comprehensive report, arguing this was an opportunity for the government to clarify the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement and highlight its anticipated public benefits.
The tension escalated further when Daghar requested to reschedule his next appearance due to a staff member’s funeral, a plea met with open frustration from the committee.
“Parliament is in session, funded by taxpayers, and you say you have a funeral? This is absurd,” responded Chair Shurie Abdi. Kitui MP Irene Kasalu added, “I’m here while my son is undergoing surgery. This is nothing short of a joke.”
The PS left the session under scrutiny, facing a directive to reappear with a report more aligned with the committee’s expectations.
The Debt and Privatization Committee, chaired by Balambala MP Shurie Abdi, expressed frustration, alleging the PS failed to address specific questions on the project’s timeline, due diligence, and execution, leaving the committee unsatisfied.
MPs were reportedly unimpressed by Daghar’s lack of in-depth information, describing his presentation as more suitable for an internet search than a parliamentary briefing.
Balambala MP Shurie Abdi rebuked Daghar for a perceived lack of preparedness: “Honestly speaking, it feels like you’re simply ticking the box by showing up here with information that any citizen could pull from a website. This committee deals with complex PPP matters, and what you’ve presented is embarrassingly basic.”
Lagdera MP Mohamed Abdikadir was the first to interrupt Daghar, questioning the quality of the report and implying that the PS was not meeting the committee’s expectations.
“This is a very shallow report; it’s the kind of information one could easily pull from websites. We need specific details on project timelines, the deal’s progression, and the expected benefits for Kenyans,” he stated.
Omboko Milemba, another committee member, echoed the frustration, describing the presentation as an “embarrassment” for the PS, while questioning why Daghar had come with such limited information.
Attempting to clarify, PS Daghar cited pending court cases as the primary reason for the limited progress on the Adani partnership, noting these legal battles had stalled due diligence, stakeholder consultations, and other procedural steps.
He emphasized that the government had not yet entered into a binding agreement with Adani Airport Holdings, with discussions only reaching a “non-binding Heads of Terms” phase.
“It is imperative to emphasize that no legally binding agreement has been finalized between the Kenya Airports Authority and Adani Airport Holdings Ltd. The discussions have only led to a non-binding Heads of Terms document outlining preliminary terms agreed upon in principle,” Daghar said.
Despite his explanations, the committee insisted Daghar return with a more comprehensive report, arguing this was an opportunity for the government to clarify the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement and highlight its anticipated public benefits.
The tension escalated further when Daghar requested to reschedule his next appearance due to a staff member’s funeral, a plea met with open frustration from the committee.
“Parliament is in session, funded by taxpayers, and you say you have a funeral? This is absurd,” responded Chair Shurie Abdi. Kitui MP Irene Kasalu added, “I’m here while my son is undergoing surgery. This is nothing short of a joke.”
The PS left the session under scrutiny, facing a directive to reappear with a report more aligned with the committee’s expectations.
