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Mumias East Member Parliament (MP) Peter Salasya has criticized fellow lawmakers who initially supported controversial deals involving Indian conglomerate Adani Group.

Speaking during a public event in Handidi, Lurambi constituency, on Saturday, November 23, 2024, Salasya expressed disappointment with MPs who later praised President William Ruto for cancelling the same agreements they had previously endorsed.

Salasya accused the MPs of hypocrisy, calling out their inconsistency on the matter. 

“It is pathetic for Raila and Ruto MPs to move around supporting the Adani takeover. When Ruto cancels the same Adani, they clap and praise Ruto the loudest. Hypocrites,” he said. 

The legislator also urged young Kenyans to take charge of their future, emphasizing that citizens cannot solely rely on political leaders. 

“It is time, as young people, we take matters into our own hands. Kenyans, we are on our own,” Salasya stated.

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A post shared by Hon Peter Kalerwa Salasya (@peter_salasya)

Ruto cancels Adani

This comes in the wake of President Ruto’s directive on Thursday, November 21, 2024, to cancel planned deals involving Adani Group. The Indian multinational had been set to manage operations at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) and also had an agreement with the Kenya Electricity Transmission Company (KETRACO).

The president, in his State of the Nation address at Parliament, cited credible evidence of corruption tied to the Adani Group, provided by international national partners.

“I have stated in the past and now reiterate today that in the face of undisputed evidence or credible information on corruption, I will not hesitate to take decisive action,” Ruto said.

He directed the Ministries of Transport and Energy to immediately halt the procurement processes involving JKIA’s expansion and KETRACO, citing principles of transparency and accountability outlined in the Kenyan Constitution.

“Accordingly, I now direct, in furtherance of principles enshrined in Article 10 of the constitution on transparency and accountability, and based on new information provided by investigative agencies and partner nations, that the procuring agencies in the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum immediately cancel the ongoing procurement process for the JKIA expansion Private-Public Partnership,” Ruto stated.

Adani Airports Holdings Ltd. (AAHL) had been set to take over operations at JKIA under a PPP deal.

The contentious firm had pitched a plan to invest $1.85 billion (approximately Ksh238 billion) to upgrade and expand JKIA, proposing to operate the airport for 30 years before transferring control back to the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA).

However, the proposal sparked concerns among aviation employees over potential job losses during Adani Group’s two-year transition phase, despite assurances to retain current staff.

Additionally, many stakeholders pushed for an open and competitive bidding process to guarantee transparency in awarding the contract.

Adani scandal

Billionaire Gautam Adani and senior executives of the Adani Group are facing fraud charges in the US for bribery of Indian officials to secure contracts worth an estimated $2 billion (Ksh259 billion) over two decades.

The indictment, filed in New York on Wednesday, November 20, 2024, also accused the group of misleading international investors while raising $3 billion through loans and bonds, concealing the bribery scheme, and obstructing a 2022 investigation.

US Attorney Breon Peace highlighted the case as a significant step in addressing global corruption and protecting investors.

The Adani Group has since dismissed the accusations as baseless, emphasizing its commitment to transparency, governance, and compliance. The company stated it would pursue all legal remedies and reminded that allegations remain unproven until a court verdict is reached.