Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka has recently raised new concerns about the controversial deal between Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) and the Indian firm Adani Airport Holdings.
Onyonka argues that the public is not fully aware of the details of this agreement, which has sparked significant debate. He revealed that the deal extends beyond the management of JKIA, involving Adani Airport Holdings in the oversight of all airstrips across Kenya.
“It’s not just JKIA,” Onyonka stated. “This company is set to manage all the airstrips across the country. There should have been public participation, and stakeholders should have been consulted, as some Kenyans might lose their jobs.”
The senator has called on President William Ruto to make the documents related to the JKIA deal negotiations public, criticizing the lack of transparency. He also pointed out inconsistencies between statements from Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) regarding the deal.
“All I’m asking is for the President to instruct his team to release the documents to the Senate. If what they claim is true, the documents will clear their names,” Onyonka insisted.
He questioned why, if the KAA admitted to such an agreement, Musalia Mudavadi is denying the existence of a contract or agreement regarding the sale of JKIA.
Onyonka further emphasized that managing the airport is a matter of national security and should not be entrusted to any private entity.
“The parliamentary committee has recommended that no public-private partnership (PPP) should involve a national airstrip because of its critical role in national security,” he added.
President William Ruto, addressing reports about the government’s plan to lease JKIA to India’s Adani Group, dismissed them as “fake news.” However, he confirmed that a public-private partnership would be established to expand the airport.
The Adani Group, one of India’s largest and most politically connected conglomerates, has recently been embroiled in scandals, including allegations of fraud and insider trading, which the company has denied.
During a town hall meeting in Mombasa, President Ruto did not specifically mention any deal with the Adani Group but reassured the public that the airport would not be sold.
“I urge you, Kenyans, not to fall for fake news or propaganda,” he stated.
Ruto explained that the government seeks investors to upgrade the airport through a public-private partnership, emphasizing that the process would be conducted transparently and with accountability.
“The current Nairobi airport is outdated and insufficient. That’s why we need to collaborate with investors to build a new, modern airport,” Ruto said.
