Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has come to the defense of the Adani Group amid rising public concerns regarding its role in significant infrastructure projects in Kenya, particularly the expansion of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) and the Ketraco power transmission initiative.
Emphasizing Adani’s proven capabilities, Odinga referred to the group’s successful transformations of major infrastructure in Gujarat and Mumbai as evidence of their competence.
Odinga highlighted the urgency of upgrading Kenya’s infrastructure, noting that JKIA is approaching full capacity. He supported the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, which allows Adani to manage and modernize JKIA under a 30-year agreement, suggesting that such initiatives are critical for maintaining Kenya’s competitiveness in attracting foreign investment.
Despite the criticism regarding potential privatization and transparency of the deals, Odinga urged stakeholders to focus on the long-term benefits these partnerships can provide. He warned against alienating investors like Adani, asserting that successful engagement with such firms is vital for the country’s infrastructure development goals.
