Raila Odinga Criticizes Cancellation of Adani Airport Project in Kenya

Odinga's Disappointment Over Airport Deal Cancellation

Raila Odinga, the former Prime Minister of Kenya and leader of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), has voiced his dissatisfaction regarding the termination of the Adani airport project. Speaking at the third National Executive Retreat in Karen, he expressed that Kenya has missed a vital opportunity due to the deal's cancellation.

According to reports, Odinga attributed the failure of the agreement to political maneuvering, cautioning that the repercussions could diminish Nairobi's significance. He emphasized Kenya's strategic position and lamented the inability to proceed with the airport contract. "I was very disappointed when we were not able to move on with the airport contract. When they brought in Adani, they brought all these politics, and the contract was cancelled. If that is not done, Nairobi will become dormant," he stated.

Previously, Odinga had defended the Adani Group before the deal was scrapped. Last year, President William Ruto announced the cancellation of both the Adani-JKIA expansion and Adani-Ketraco agreements during his State of the Nation Address in Parliament. In a speech in Mombasa last October, Odinga highlighted that Kenya's economic issues necessitate Public-Private Partnerships to draw in investments.

"Adani is a credible partner. They have proven their capabilities in projects that surpass what we have seen in East Africa," he remarked. He noted that the Adani Group had shown interest in investing in Kenya since 2010, but this was impeded by the absence of a suitable legal framework for PPPs at that time.

Odinga further stated, "I have had the chance to interact with the PPP proposals in question, and it is my duty to state what I know about them. When I was the Prime Minister of Kenya, I was introduced to the Adani group of companies and its activities. There needs to be transparency when dealing with such issues; otherwise, we risk condemning very reputable companies. If there are individuals who have made mistakes, let them own up and admit it, but do not condemn innocent companies that are engaged in legitimate commercial transactions." Odinga served as Kenya's Prime Minister from 2008 to 2013.