NAIROBI, Kenya – Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has waded into the ongoing debate surrounding Indian conglomerate Adani Group’s involvement in Kenya’s key infrastructure projects, defending the company against rising concerns over transparency and investor integrity.
In a statement issued Sunday, Odinga praised Adani’s track record, pointing to its extensive experience in infrastructure development and long-standing interest in Kenya.
He highlighted that the group’s engagement with the country dates back to 2010, when he first encountered the company during his tenure as Prime Minister.
“When I was Prime Minister, I was introduced to Adani by [then] Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi,” Odinga said, recalling a visit to Gujarat where Adani had transformed a once desolate swamp into a thriving port, power plant, and industrial hub.
He also cited Adani’s work in Mumbai, where the group overhauled a crumbling airport into a world-class facility, as evidence of their expertise.
Odinga’s remarks come amid controversy surrounding Adani’s proposed investments in the modernization of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) and Kenya’s power transmission sector under Public-Private Partnership (PPP) agreements.
The $1.84 billion proposal would see Adani upgrade JKIA with new terminals, taxiways, and related infrastructure through a 30-year Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model, after which ownership would revert to the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA).
However, the deal has sparked intense debate, with critics—including the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) and the Law Society of Kenya (LSK)—arguing that the agreement could privatize a profitable national asset, siphoning revenues to Adani during the concession period.
Concerns have also been raised over job security for Kenyan workers, transparency in the selection process, and whether the deal provides value for money, considering Kenya’s own capacity to fund such projects.
Addressing these concerns, Odinga argued that while there are legitimate misgivings about how the PPP processes for JKIA and the energy sector have been handled, the focus should remain on ensuring Kenya remains an attractive destination for international investments.
“Adani is a credible partner. They have proven their capabilities in projects that surpass what we have seen in East Africa,” he stated.
He emphasized the importance of maintaining investor confidence, especially in sectors critical to Kenya’s development.
Odinga further noted that the country’s PPP laws, now in place, were non-existent when Adani first expressed interest in Kenya, drawing parallels to the legal frameworks used in Gujarat, where Adani played a crucial role in infrastructure growth.
However, he stressed that improvements are still needed to enhance transparency and competitiveness in PPP processes.
He also urged the government to address public concerns openly, ensuring that all deals adhere to national interests, including compliance with labor laws, environmental protection, and allowing for local judicial oversight in any disputes.
“If we mishandle this, it could severely undermine our infrastructure development for years to come,” Odinga cautioned, warning that failure to secure credible investors like Adani could see Kenya fall behind its regional neighbors.
In a statement issued Sunday, Odinga praised Adani’s track record, pointing to its extensive experience in infrastructure development and long-standing interest in Kenya.
He highlighted that the group’s engagement with the country dates back to 2010, when he first encountered the company during his tenure as Prime Minister.
“When I was Prime Minister, I was introduced to Adani by [then] Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi,” Odinga said, recalling a visit to Gujarat where Adani had transformed a once desolate swamp into a thriving port, power plant, and industrial hub.
He also cited Adani’s work in Mumbai, where the group overhauled a crumbling airport into a world-class facility, as evidence of their expertise.
Odinga’s remarks come amid controversy surrounding Adani’s proposed investments in the modernization of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) and Kenya’s power transmission sector under Public-Private Partnership (PPP) agreements.
The $1.84 billion proposal would see Adani upgrade JKIA with new terminals, taxiways, and related infrastructure through a 30-year Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model, after which ownership would revert to the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA).
However, the deal has sparked intense debate, with critics—including the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) and the Law Society of Kenya (LSK)—arguing that the agreement could privatize a profitable national asset, siphoning revenues to Adani during the concession period.
Concerns have also been raised over job security for Kenyan workers, transparency in the selection process, and whether the deal provides value for money, considering Kenya’s own capacity to fund such projects.
Addressing these concerns, Odinga argued that while there are legitimate misgivings about how the PPP processes for JKIA and the energy sector have been handled, the focus should remain on ensuring Kenya remains an attractive destination for international investments.
“Adani is a credible partner. They have proven their capabilities in projects that surpass what we have seen in East Africa,” he stated.
He emphasized the importance of maintaining investor confidence, especially in sectors critical to Kenya’s development.
Odinga further noted that the country’s PPP laws, now in place, were non-existent when Adani first expressed interest in Kenya, drawing parallels to the legal frameworks used in Gujarat, where Adani played a crucial role in infrastructure growth.
However, he stressed that improvements are still needed to enhance transparency and competitiveness in PPP processes.
He also urged the government to address public concerns openly, ensuring that all deals adhere to national interests, including compliance with labor laws, environmental protection, and allowing for local judicial oversight in any disputes.
“If we mishandle this, it could severely undermine our infrastructure development for years to come,” Odinga cautioned, warning that failure to secure credible investors like Adani could see Kenya fall behind its regional neighbors.
