Activist Gachoka Asks Ruto to Prove Adani Deal Cancellation in Court
By Harrison Kivisu
Email, thecoastnewspaper@gmail.com
Political Activist Tony Gachoka wants President William Ruto to present documents proving the cancellation of two major deals involving Indian billionaire Gautam Adani.
The activist, says the government has been exposed its soft-under-belly after the tycoon was indicted for fraud by US prosecutors on November 21, 2024.
Speaking a day after the State of the Nation Address in Mombasa, Gachoka reiterated that he would not withdraw his court case but challenged the government to file evidential documents proving cancellation of the deals.
“The next thing will be to request for nationwide strike by airport workers if the government secretly signs another deal. Kenya can fund the rebuilding of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport without having to lease it.”
In his state-of-the-nation address on November 21, 2024, President Ruto said the deals had been cancelled based on what he termed as new information provided by security agencies.
But the activist reads mischief of president Ruto’s sentiments saying any other deal with any other foreign investor should be rejected by Kenyans.
He says the government still can raise money to build an airport without having to lease it to investors.
This came after Adani, the India’s second-richest man, was charged with fraud by US prosecutors for allegedly orchestrating a $250m (£198m) bribery scheme and concealing it to raise money in the US.
The Adani Group was set to invest $1.85bn in JKIA in exchange for a contract to run it for 30 years, as well as a $736m deal with the energy ministry to construct power lines.
Under the airport proposal, the upgrades would involve a new runway and an improved passenger terminal at the JKIA.
Gachoka claims the Ruto administration is being attracted to the Adani deal because of corruption. He challenges Kenyans abroad to stand up against any appetite to sell key Kenyans assets.
“What’s this appetite to sell our national assets, what is this appetite to sell our airport, the reason is because some individuals in the government want to get corruption deals.”
Although he is not opposed to the upgrading of the airport for sustainability, the activist says development can be done in an open way and gradually without having to be put on secrecy.
The deals with the Adani Group were hugely unpopular in the country, and there were concerns of corruption and even forcing residents to protest against its implementation.
The airport deal sparked a strike among airport workers in September, as many feared it would lead to job losses.
