ODM leader Raila Odinga has termed cancellation of the controversial Adani Group-Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) deal a ‘great disappointment’ that denied Kenya an opportunity to be like Dubai.
He expressed disappointment with the cancellation of the proposal by the Indian multinational to expand Nairobi’s JKIA, noting that Kenya faces stiff competition from neighbouring countries that are developing their aviation facilities.
Last year, President William Ruto cancelled two major deals involving Indian billionaire Gautam Adani — whom Mr Odinga last year admitted was a close friend — after the tycoon was indicted for fraud by US prosecutors coming after uproar and protests by members of the public. The company had also sealed an electricity transmission deal.
The airport expansion plan had triggered a strike in September last year, as many workers feared it would lead to job losses.
President Ruto said the deals had been cancelled based on "new information provided by investigative agencies and partner nations".
Ruto orders cancellation of JKIA, Ketraco Adani deals
The controversy revolved around proposed Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) for the modernization of JKIA and Kenya's power transmission sector.
It is not the first time Mr Odinga was defending the Adani deal. A while back, Mr Odinga addressed critics' concerns about transparency and investor integrity, emphasising the group's track record and ongoing interest in Kenya, which dates back to 2010. According to him, Adani Group was a credible partner that has proven it had the capability to carry out projects across the world.
Raila: 'Nairobi will remain dormant'
And on Friday, Mr Odinga stated that he was disappointed when the deal did not go through.
“I was very disappointed when we were not able to move on with the airport contract. When Adani was brought there was all these politics and the contract was cancelled. If this is not done, Nairobi will just remain dormant,” said Mr Odinga.
He stated that Addis Ababa is growing because there is a new airport that is turning it into the new hub in the Eastern Africa region with Ethiopian airlines being the dominant airline.
“People in the Emirates do not look at the airline for making profits but as a vehicle bringing investors, tourists and shoppers to the United Arab Emirates. If we do not do it Rwanda will do it and Kigali will be the hub. We can do it here and Nairobi becomes the Dubai and Hub of Africa,” said Mr Odinga.
He stated that the Grand Coalition government, in which he was Prime Minister, awarded the Greenfield airport contract before President Mwai Kibaki left office in early 2013. The contract was later cancelled by the administration of President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Mr Odinga was speaking on Friday when he made a rare appearance at the National Executive Retreat, further affirming his inclusion in the Kenya Kwanza government and a vote of confidence in President Ruto’s administration.
This is the first retreat since the Orange Democratic Movement and United Democratic Alliance signed a Memorandum of Understanding that to Mr Odinga not only preserved the nation but also set out a broad agenda for the creation of a people-centred, proactive, inclusive and pragmatic service delivery.
The two-day meeting was to take stock of the Government’s delivery of the Bottom Up Economic Transformation Agenda so far.
The move came just a day after the President termed the broad-based Government ‘God sent’ and admitting the all-important role the ODM leader played in steadying his troubled administration.
Mr Odinga, who in the last presidential election clashed bitterly with his rival President Ruto, came to the latter’s rescue when the country was on the brink of collapse during the Gen Z protests last year.
“From outside, we have seen leaders running away from leading and opting for what is easy and popular. My position is that leaders are put in place for difficult times to help turn the tide by providing solutions,” he said.
His sentiments were echoed by President William Ruto, who noted that Mr Odinga's call for leaders to focus on what is right strongly resonates with the values of the administration he leads.
“His ringing call for leaders to focus on what is right rather than what is popular strongly resonates with the values of our administration,” said Dr Ruto.
Mr Odinga said government programmes must always be inclusive regardless of how people voted in previous elections.
“It is my hope that this policy and performance review could lead to a better understanding and ownership of the government by the people. With lessons from the recent past, I would say that going forward, everything has to be about the people, not the leaders,” said Mr Odinga.
Her added: “I strongly believe that no matter our disagreements and disappointments, we have to have a country first.”
The former Prime Minister also shared his thoughts on the development of infrastructure, commending the Affordable Housing Programme and associated projects such as markets, hospitals and schools.
He pointed out that the housing programme must be integrated with markets, health centres, schools, and other social amenities to make it sustainable.
Addressing the members of the Executive, he cautioned that without the people's understanding and ownership of government policy design and execution, a perception will persist that the administration is not delivering.
“Government programmes must never leave anyone or any region behind, regardless of how people voted in the last elections. Pursuing an inclusive development agenda is a strong basis for the peace and stability of the nation. The persistent question all government officers must always ask is, ‘might we be leaving any part of Kenya behind as we implement programs?" said the former Premier.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki called for stronger collaboration among members of the Executive in the implementation of the development agenda.
“Horizontally, the relationships among arms of government and levels of government; national and counties but also among the three arms of government at the national level. As the Executive, we must forge proper and constitutional relationships with the Judiciary and Legislature. More importantly, vertical relationships between those entrusted with public positions and how we relate with members of the public and our accountability to the people of Kenya,” DP Kindiki said.
