Wiper Party Leader Dr. Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka has raised concerns over a potential state capture in Kenya, drawing parallels with the infamous Gupta family’s grip on South Africa.
Speaking during a Sunday service at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Mlolongo, Kalonzo accused the government of handing over key sectors such as energy, transport, and health to India’s Adani Group in secretive, non-competitive deals. He criticized the government’s lack of transparency in granting multi-billion-shilling contracts to Adani, warning that this could undermine Kenya’s sovereignty and public accountability.
“The way South Africa was captured by the Gupta family, Kenya is at risk of being ‘Guptafied’ by Adani. We are witnessing the capture of vital national assets in opaque deals that threaten our independence,” Kalonzo said.
This warning comes amidst growing political tension over the impeachment efforts against Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and the government’s increasing ties with foreign investors. Kalonzo’s remarks also follow former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s defense of the Adani Group, citing the company’s success in delivering mega infrastructure projects in India, including Gujarat and Mumbai.
Raila supported Adani’s involvement in the management of the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) and energy projects, vouching for their capacity to transform Kenya’s infrastructure.
Meanwhile, Raila Odinga also called for the full implementation of the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) report, which includes reconstituting the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC). This comes after Parliament rejected several proposals contained in the NADCO report, raising questions about the ongoing political dialogue process.
Kalonzo was accompanied by DAP-Kenya leader Eugene Wamalwa, former Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu, Machakos Deputy Governor Francis Mwangangi, and Senators Enoch Wambua (Kitui), Agnes Muthama (Machakos), and Dan Maanzo (Makueni). MPs Robert Mbui and Stephen Mule also attended the service. Their attendance at the church event underscored the opposition’s unity in confronting what they see as government overreach and lack of accountability.
However, Kalonzo urged caution, emphasizing the need for competitive bidding and transparency in awarding such contracts. He expressed concern that key national sectors were being handed over without proper oversight or public scrutiny, a move he termed as dangerous for the country’s economic future. Kalonzo’s warnings reflect growing concerns within the opposition about the future of Kenya’s democracy and the influence of foreign corporations on its critical sectors.
