NAIROBI, Kenya- The Kenya Electricity Transmission Company (KETRACO) is holding back information regarding its reported partnership with Indian firm Adani Energy Solutions.
This move has raised eyebrows given the scrutiny faced by Adani’s sister company over the proposed lease of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).
Responding to a request for disclosure from IC Law Advocates, KETRACO Managing Director John Mativo stated that the request is still under review.
As such, the information falls under Section 4(1) of Kenya’s Access to Information Act, which allows withholding details while decisions are under consideration.
The request for information, initiated by IC Law Advocates last month, sought access to key details about KETRACO’s partnership with Adani Energy Solutions.
The letter, dated September 11, invoked the firm’s constitutional right to access public information, pressing for full disclosure on several critical aspects of the partnership.
Specifically, the law firm demanded insight into the project agreements, Adani Energy Solutions’ financial capacity, and the tendering process used to select the company.
Additionally, the firm requested information on public participation, approval from the Attorney General, and any credit or risk guarantees issued by the government for these projects.
In their letter, IC Law Advocates emphasized the importance of transparency, stating, “We require this information within fourteen (14) days of receipt of this letter. Failure to which we shall exercise our rights in accordance with the law.”
While KETRACO has yet to fully address the law firm’s demands, Mativo hinted that the requested information might be released after the internal review is complete.
In his reply, Mativo invoked Section 6(1) of the Access to Information Act, which permits withholding information if the matter is still under consideration.
“After due consideration and finalization of the process, the requested information may be availed,” Mativo said, leaving the door open but offering no guarantees on a timeline for disclosure.
This lack of transparency is fueling further speculation about the nature of KETRACO’s partnership with Adani, especially given the controversies surrounding the company’s dealings in Kenya.
The airport lease proposal involving Adani’s sister company has already faced significant opposition, raising concerns about the broader implications of Adani’s involvement in critical infrastructure projects across the country.
The public, along with watchdog organizations, will be closely monitoring KETRACO’s next steps.
The push for greater transparency comes at a time when scrutiny over public-private partnerships in Kenya is growing, with citizens and advocacy groups calling for full disclosure on deals that could impact the nation’s economy and infrastructure.
