Transport PS Blasted For ‘Googled’ Adani Deal Responses
On Thursday, MPs rejected the Principal Secretary for Roads and Transport, Mohamed Daghar, for a ‘shallow’ submission on the Adani-JKIA takeover deal.
The members of the Debt and Privatisation Committee were enraged by what they called ‘Googled submissions’ that failed to answer the questions they had summoned the PS to answer.
The committee chaired by Balambala MP Shurie Abdi expressed dissatisfaction with the PS presentation.
He mentioned a lack of detailed information about the project timeline, due diligence process, and overall execution, which members found insufficiently specific.
“Honestly speaking, I think you’re just ticking the box and saying we appeared before the Public Debt and Privatisation Committee,” Shurie said.
“That’s exactly what you’ve just done. This committee deals with matters PPP, and what you’ve just put here is what we all understand and know is available on the internet.”
Adani is not going to help us deliver Vision 2030.
— Mohammed Hersi : Mr Optimist (@mohammedhersi) September 8, 2024
As we discuss any PPP for JKIA, especially the Adani deal, please note JKIA contributes 90% to KAA revenues and, by extension, profit.
According to the Adani agreement, Kenya cannot build or expand another airport for 30… pic.twitter.com/AXqnF2k8yL
Lagdera Constituency MP Mohamed Abdikadir was the first to interrupt the PS, stating that what had been submitted was not what the committee expected.
“This is a very shallow report; this is the information that I can pull from websites. You may be feeling fatigued. But if information has not been provided to this committee, it has not been provided to Parliament,” Abdikadir said.
“We want a detailed report on how things went, the timelines, and everything else. But I think for our PS with all due respect. It’s like you have not done your job,” added the Lagdera lawmaker.
MP Omboko Milemba stated that it is very embarrassing for a PS to appear before the committee and present a shallow report.
“And it’s like you, as any other person on the street, can get this report from anywhere. So I don’t know why you came here with this kind of report, just to embarrass yourself,” Milemba said.
In response, the PS clarified that procedural steps in the transaction had stalled due to ongoing court cases that had halted project activity.
BREAKING:
— Mahua Moitra Fans (@MahuaMoitraFans) October 26, 2024
Kenyan Court suspends $736 million deal between state utility KETRACO and India's Adani Energy Solutions.
The Law Society of Kenya challenges the agreement, deeming it unconstitutional and secretive, citing a lack of public participation as per the Public Private… pic.twitter.com/0kTOwjqGf7
He stated that the court cases have effectively paused further actions, such as due diligence and stakeholder engagements.
The PS reiterated that no legally binding agreement had been reached with the proposed partner, Adani Airport Holdings and that negotiations had only reached the non-binding “Heads of Terms” stage.
“It is, however, imperative to emphasize that no legally binding agreement has been finalised between the Kenya Airports Authority and the proponent, Adani Airport Holdings Ltd.”
The discussions have only resulted in the creation of a nonbinding Heads of Terms document.
“The Heads of Terms outline the key terms of the commercial transaction that have been mutually agreed upon in principle during the negotiation process,” PS Daghar said.
The committee requested that the PS return with a more robust, transparent report, implying that the session was an opportunity to clarify the government’s position on PPPs and outline the expected benefits for the Kenyan public.
However, drama ensued when the PS attempted to move the summons date forward, claiming that he needed to attend the burial of one of the staff members.
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“Parliament is in session, we are using taxpayers’ money, yet you are saying that you’re attending a funeral,” the committee chair, Shurie Abdi said.
“My goodness, this is a joke of the year, is the burial of a junior staff member a matter of national importance?”
Following the remarks, Kitui MP Irene Kasalu threatened to leave the session.
“I’m here, and my son is having surgery; in fact, I need to get out of here. This is a joke,” Kasalu said.
Transport PS Blasted For ‘Googled’ Adani Deal Responses
