Close allies of President William Ruto have been embroiled in a controversial deal involving the takeover of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) by India’s Adani Group, sparking widespread outrage over the legality of the arrangement and its potential impact on Kenyan workers.
The Indian-based commercial company is accused of paying hefty bribes to senior government officials to push through a 30-year lease of the airport, a move critics say violates the Constitution of Kenya (CoK) 2010.
On 5th September, blogger Cyprian Nyakundi triggered storm on X (formerly Twitter) when he posted that, “Adani paid billions in bribes to KAA boss Caleb Kositany, Sports CS Murkomen, and others, and now they want to force this deal. Kenyans must not allow this.”
Nyakundi’s post has since amplified public discontent, with social media rife with allegations of corruption at the highest levels of government.
President William Ruto with Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua during the 61st Madaraka Day Celebrations in Bungoma County, July 1, 2024. Source: Facebook
According to the allegations, Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen and Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) Managing Director Caleb Kositany are among those accused of receiving substantial bribes from Adani Group.
The payments were reportedly made to facilitate the long-term leasing of JKIA, prompting fears that the deal would result in thousands of job losses at the airport.
Amid these allegations, President Ruto and his key allies, including Government Spokesman Dr Isaac Mwaura, have continued to defend the Adani Group, claiming that the deal is in Kenya’s economic interest.
CS Kipchumba Murkomen during a past event. Photo: Kipchumba Murkomen Source: Facebook
However, many critics remain sceptical, warning that the arrangement could jeopardise the livelihoods of Kenyan workers and undermine the country’s sovereignty.
The development comes amid claims that Kenya’s railway system will also soon be privatised, further fuelling concerns that critical national infrastructure is being sold off to foreign investors without due consideration for the Kenyan people.
As the scandal unfolds, pressure is mounting on the government to provide full disclosure of the terms of the deal. Kenyans are demanding transparency and accountability, fearing the long-term consequences of such agreements on the country’s future.
Screenshot from Cyprian Nyakundi’s X post. Source: X
