President William Ruto’s administration recently faced intense scrutiny over deals involving the Adani Group, an Indian conglomerate.
These agreements included high-profile projects like the expansion of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) and energy infrastructure.
The deals were called off after the United States flagged corruption concerns, accusing Adani executives of bribery to secure contracts.
These allegations led President Ruto to terminate the agreements, citing the need for transparency and accountability.
His decision was framed as a commitment to clean governance, reflecting constitutional principles.
The controversy has sparked broader debate.
Critics accuse the government of initial oversight in vetting Adani’s suitability for such projects, especially given previous allegations of stock manipulation and fraud against the company.
The U.S. Justice Department and the Securities and Exchange Commission charged Adani executives with bribery, which allegedly defrauded investors.
This raised questions about the thoroughness of Kenya’s due diligence before awarding these contracts.
President Ruto emphasized finding alternative international partners for these critical projects, such as the JKIA expansion, to ensure progress without compromising integrity.
However, his administration faces mounting pressure to avoid such missteps in the future.
This incident has become a focal point in the broader conversation about Kenya’s dealings with international corporations and safeguarding public resources from exploitation.
William Ruto: Unapinga Adani na haujawahi fika JKIA? Wajinga nyinyi! pic.twitter.com/tDl6Wa1gTR
— Cornelius K. Ronoh (@itskipronoh) December 3, 2024