Adani Group is one of India’s largest and most politically influential conglomerates but has been hit by scandal in recent years, including accusations of fraud and insider trading. It has denied the claims.
Following public outrage to the plan — which was first alleged by a whistleblower on X — protestors planned to occupy the airport, but were ultimately blocked.
Last week, OCCRP revealed the details of a secret Adani Group proposal worth US$2.5 billion to lease the airport for 30 years. This was approved by Kenya’s Airport Authority (KAA), even after experts had advised the Kenyan government to put out a public tender to expand the airport, according to documents.
Adani Group’s proposal said that the airport project would be “highly dependent on favorable tax policies” from the Kenyan government.
At the town hall meeting on Sunday in Mombasa, Ruto didn’t mention a deal with Adani, and instead harped on the fact that the airport would not be sold. "I want to persuade you Kenyans, don’t buy into fake news,” he said. “Don’t buy into the propaganda.”
Ruto claimed that the government is still looking for investors to upgrade the airport under a public-private partnership — but that the process would be handled in a transparent and accountable manner.
“Let’s be honest Kenyans, the airport we have in Nairobi is made of canvas,” he said. “It is the reason why we need to work with investors to have a new airport.”
Last week, in a statement on X, Kenya Airports Authority affirmed they had received an investment proposal under the Public Private Partnerships Act from Adani, but that it would be “subjected to technical, financial and legal reviews.”
Last Thursday, Senator Richard Onyonka demanded a statement in the Senate on the “leasing of JKIA to a private company” after condemning the secrecy of the deal and lack of public hearings. He has not yet received a response.
The airport deal was the next issue to hit President Ruto amid a tumultuous moment in Kenya.
He has been under immense pressure after six weeks of youth-led protests, first sparked by proposed tax hikes that he ultimately dropped, and then calls for him to resign for poor governance.
Last week, in another attempt to appeal to protestors, he announced cabinet changes for a new broad-based government.
On Sunday, alongside insisting that Kenyans will remain updated on an airport deal in a transparent manner, he tried to rally the country to come together.
“Every situation has its own season, and this is the right time for us to unite, collaborate, and work together,” he said. “I urge all Kenyans to come together in this season of unity for the betterment of our country.”
