• Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga seems to have changed his tune concerning the controversial award of tenders by the Kenyan government to Adani Holdings. In his statement, he reveals that the company had expressed interest in investing in the country over a decade ago but lacked a proper legal framework for Public-Private Partnerships (PPP).

Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga seems to have changed his tune concerning the controversial award of tenders by the Kenyan government to Adani Holdings. In his statement, he reveals that the company had expressed interest in investing in the country over a decade ago but lacked a proper legal framework for Public-Private Partnerships (PPP).

He narrates a trip to Gujarat, India, where he saw the doings of Adani, where they had turned a swamp into a teeming airport, stating, “In Mumbai, I witnessed how they had transformed a collapsing airport into a world-class facility, and their power projects benefiting millions."

He also urged the Kenyan government to address public concerns by ensuring the PPP is transparent, fair and competitive.

Nonetheless, he has emphasized the need to improve the existing PPP policies in order to attract and retain investors. “There has been misgivings about how the PPP process has been handled, but we must ensure that Kenya remains an attractive destination for such investment,” Odinga stated.

“Adani is a credible partner. They have proven their capabilities in projects that surpass what we have seen in East Africa,” he noted.

While recognizing the need for investor profit, Odinga also expressed the need to secure national assets and interests, such as labor laws, environmental protection, and the jurisdiction of Kenyan courts in disputes.

“If we scare away investors like Adani, we risk stalling critical projects when our neighbors are pulling ahead,” he warned

Raila Odinga also urged all Kenyans to stop politicizing the deal as it would hamper Kenya's development in the future and instead view it as competitive for Kenya to remain a competitive hub for investment.

The Adani group, an Indian company, has caused public uproar following its proposed partnership with the Kenyan government to expand and modernize JKIA.

The proposal submitted under the Public-private partnership model seeks to allow Adani to improve airport facilities such as terminals, taxiways, runways and other related infrastructure.

The company is set to invest Ksh 96 Billion in a partnership that will take 30 years to complete. The company has also expressed interest in investing in the power sector.