President William Ruto has officially canceled two high-profile deals with Indian billionaire Gautam Adani’s conglomerate, Adani Group, following the tycoon’s indictment by US authorities over bribery allegations.
The deals, which involved the management of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) and the expansion of Kenya’s power grid through KETRACO, have been clouded in controversy for months.
The decision comes after Gautam Adani was charged with bribery and corruption in the US, leading to widespread concerns about the ethical implications of continuing business with the Adani Group. “This government will not allow its citizens to be linked with companies or individuals involved in unethical practices,” President Ruto declared in a press briefing. “Our priority is to ensure that every deal serves the interests of the Kenyan people, not foreign profiteers.”
The JKIA agreement, which would have granted Adani Group control over East Africa’s busiest airport for the next 30 years, was met with fierce opposition from local unions, aviation experts, and politicians. Many feared the deal would lead to increased airport fees, job losses, and a lack of oversight over a key national asset. Similarly, the KETRACO deal raised alarms over foreign control of Kenya’s energy infrastructure, with critics claiming the contract lacked transparency and could lead to higher electricity costs for citizens.
The cancellation has been met with a mix of praise and skepticism. Some view Ruto’s decision as a strong move to protect Kenyan sovereignty, with Senator Kipchumba Murkomen stating, “This is a win for the Kenyan people, and a message to the world that we will not tolerate corruption.”
However, opposition leaders question the timing of the cancellation. “Is this about principle or politics?” asked Raila Odinga.
As the dust settles, the future of Kenya’s infrastructure projects remains uncertain, but one thing is clear—Ruto’s bold stance against Adani Group has sent shockwaves through the business world.