Secret Deal: Ruto’s Government Approves Another Multibillion Proposal by Adani Group
In a move that has sparked heated debate, India’s Adani Group is on the verge of sealing another lucrative deal with the Kenyan government. Just months after its controversial bid to lease the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) for 30 years, the Adani Group is now eyeing the country’s energy sector.
This development was revealed by Kisii Senator Richard Onyoka on Thursday, September 12, raising eyebrows about transparency and public involvement.
“It should be brought to the attention of the public that besides the JKIA deal, Adani Limited is on the verge of entering another contractual agreement for a transmission lines project by KETRACO without public participation,” Onyoka claimed. The senator, known for his vocal stance on government contracts, expressed concerns that this deal might not be in the public’s best interest, hinting at a lack of transparency.
According to Onyoka, the Adani Group, which has a history of securing large-scale infrastructure projects worldwide, is poised to sign an agreement with the Kenya Electricity Transmission Company (KETRACO) to build a new transmission line. This project is expected to have far-reaching implications for Kenya’s energy sector, especially as the country grapples with increasing power outages.
Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi defended the move, arguing that Kenya’s energy infrastructure urgently needs expansion. “Kenya needs a new transmission line to tame the rising nationwide blackouts by building new infrastructure and reducing leakages,” Wandayi stated. He emphasized that the deal with Adani was necessary to modernize the country’s power grid and address ongoing electricity issues.
Wandayi also revealed that the government had approved a proposal from Adani Energy Solutions worth KSh 117 billion to construct 371 kilometers of power transmission lines and five substations. The project, he argued, would help reduce energy losses and provide more reliable power to millions of Kenyans.
While the Adani Group’s involvement in Kenya’s energy sector promises substantial infrastructure improvements, concerns about the lack of public participation remain at the forefront of the debate.
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Secret Deal: Ruto’s Government Approves Another Multibillion Proposal by Adani Group