‘I Have No Regrets, Adani Was Good!’ – Raila Clinches Onto Previous Statements
Raila Odinga stated in an exclusive interview with Citizen TV that he favors the use of Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) to boost Kenya’s development efforts.
While maintaining that Kenya can only progress by attracting private investors, he insisted that Adani has an established track record and is qualified to take on the now-canceled cooperation with Kenya.
“People need to understand this. The government cannot finance development projects on the basis of taxation. It is not sustainable at all,” Odinga noted.
“I have no regrets because I know for a fact where the reality is.”
He further stated that the proceedings filed against Adani were the consequence of internal disagreements among investors interested in the Kenyan project.
“The charges against Adani are because of competition for projects. There was just misconception and commercial interests that were fighting,” he argued.
Adani planned to take control the country’s electricity and aviation infrastructure.
Q: Do you still believe Adani was a good deal?
— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) December 27, 2024
Raila Odinga: I have no regrets because I know where the reality is… The government cannot finance development projects on the basis of taxation, it is not sustainable at all. There were just misconceptions and competing vested… pic.twitter.com/wVUjMl4cgB
The Group had proposed a Ksh.260 billion contract to upgrade the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) over a 30-year period and provide Ksh.95 billion to develop the country’s transmission lines through a PPP model.
President William Ruto, however, terminated the transactions during his State of the Nation Address on November 21, citing reliable evidence from the competent agencies as the basis for his decision.
This came after the US government indicted Gautam Adani, the chairman of Indian conglomerate Adani Group, for allegedly paying the Indian government Ksh.30 billion in bribes to get solar energy supply contracts.
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The incident had caused public outrage, with many speculating that the deals would be conduits for corruption, given that the state was willing to sign a deal with a graft-linked investor.
Ruto quickly changed his tune, blaming Kenyans for the JKIA project’s failure.
“What gain do you get when you stop the building of an airport in your country? You have no clue how it’s going to be built, wale wanapinga, ata hawajai kanyaga airport, unapinga tu,” Ruto stated in Taita Taveta on Tuesday, December 3.
He maintained that the airport would continue to be upgraded, noting that it was long overdue.
‘I Have No Regrets, Adani Was Good!’ – Raila Clinches Onto Previous Statements
