Top Kenyan Officials Depart for India to Vet Adani Holdings Ahead of JKIA Takeover

NAIROBI, Kenya – Sixteen top Kenyan officials, including nine senior managers from the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA), four board members, a Treasury official from the Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) committee, a representative from the Attorney General’s office, and a senior manager from Wilson Airport, departed for India last night.

Their mission is to conduct due diligence on Adani Holdings, the firm poised to take over operations at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).

However, the trip only fueled growing opposition against the deal.

The Shippers Council of Eastern Africa (SCEA) has now joined the chorus of dissent, demanding that KAA provide full transparency on the negotiations with Adani.

The council, which represents key stakeholders in the freight business, warns that the proposed 30-year concession could have significant implications for importers, exporters, and the broader logistics sector.

SCEA Chief Executive Agayo Ogambi expressed concerns about the lack of detailed information on the agreement, particularly regarding how the concession might affect cargo operations at JKIA.

Ogambi emphasized the need for clarity on infrastructural improvements and the protection of current private sector investments at the airport.

He stressed that any agreement must respect existing contracts and ensure that business operations are not disrupted during the concession period.

The planned handover to Adani, which includes an investment of up to $750 million (approximately Sh96.5 billion), involves constructing a second runway, a new passenger terminal, and associated infrastructure.

The proposal also includes raising airport charges to compete with regional facilities and a fixed concession fee to KAA.

However, these terms have sparked anxiety among freight businesses, who fear that increased costs could hurt their operations.

The Kenya Aviation Workers’ Union (KAWU) has been vocal in its opposition, warning of potential job losses and questioning the necessity of the deal.

KAWU Secretary-General Moss Ndiema argued that JKIA is financially self-sufficient and capable of funding its modernization without external help.

Ndiema insisted that if a new investor is involved, they should build and manage a new terminal rather than take over existing operations.

The controversy has also reached Parliament, where the Public Debt and Privatization Committee recently called for a halt to the negotiations until more details are made available.

Despite this, Adani Enterprises has proceeded with its plans, setting up a Kenyan subsidiary as part of its preparations to secure the deal.

National Treasury Principal Secretary Chris Kiptoo acknowledged that the review of Adani’s proposal is ongoing and assured that a comprehensive report would be provided upon its conclusion.

However, MPs, led by Kinangop MP Kwenya Thuku, have demanded that Treasury cease further engagements with Adani, citing the government’s failure to provide adequate information as a source of growing suspicion.