Former Machakos Senator Hon. Johnstone Muthama Nduya has raised concerns over the proposed Sh240 billion deal to lease Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) to the Adani Group, an Indian conglomerate. Drawing parallels with Kenya’s infamous Goldenberg and Anglo Leasing scandals, Muthama warned that while such deals may appear beneficial at first, they could ultimately have dire consequences for the country.
“The Goldenberg and Anglo Leasing deals seemed beneficial at first, but they ultimately had negative consequences for Kenyans,” Muthama stated. “Similarly, the Sh240 billion Adani-JKIA deal might end up being even worse.”
Muthama questioned the rationale behind leasing one of Kenya’s most vital infrastructure assets to a private foreign entity, implying that it may reflect a lack of innovative solutions within the country to manage and improve its own institutions.
“Does leasing JKIA to this private firm suggest that Kenyans lack ideas on how to improve their institutions?” Muthama pondered, signaling a broader concern about the governance and decision-making processes in the management of Kenya’s public assets.
The deal, which has sparked debate across the political and economic spectrum, is seen by some as a necessary move to inject capital and expertise into Kenya’s infrastructure. However, critics like Muthama argue that it could lead to loss of control over a key national asset and potentially expose the country to exploitative terms.
As the nation awaits further details on the agreement, Muthama’s comments are likely to intensify scrutiny and debate around the deal. The former senator hinted at providing more insights into his concerns in the near future.
The government and other stakeholders are yet to respond to Muthama’s remarks, but the growing discourse indicates that the Adani-JKIA deal will be a major talking point in the coming weeks.
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