Raila revisits cancelled Adani deal, says Kenya squandered opportunity
Orange Democratic Movement, ODM, leader Raila Odinga has said Kenya lost a major investment opportunity after Indian conglomerate Adani pulled out of plans to modernise Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) due to what he described as “too much noise” in Parliament.
Odinga, on Monday, September 22, 2025, while addressing the ODM Parliamentary Group meeting, explained that Adani had come to Kenya with the intention of investing, not taking away resources, but political resistance frustrated the deal.
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“When Adani came here, and too much noise was being made in Parliament for no reason at all, they pulled out. They were not taking it away; they were bringing their money,” Odinga said.
The former Prime Minister had earlier expressed disappointment over the cancellation of the deal, saying it was a missed opportunity for Kenya to become a development hub.
He added that similar arrangements were now being embraced elsewhere. “Now, a similar arrangement in Kigali, in the same terms as Adani wanted to do here. Adani was to improve our airport. Not to take it from us. We have missed this because of some parties. Shame on them,” he stated.
Odinga expressed regret that Kenya had allowed political disputes to derail a project that could have boosted JKIA’s capacity and image as a regional hub.
Calls for revival of deal
His remarks come just weeks after Homa Bay Town Member of Parliament Peter Kaluma called on President William Ruto to revive the Adani deal or secure another investor to modernise JKIA.
Also watch: Odinga defends the Adani group, terming the company as reputable.
In a statement issued on August 28, 2025, Kaluma criticised the poor state of the airport, saying it falls far below international standards.
“Kenya can’t pride itself as a regional and international hub without a proper airport. JKIA is no better than a cowshed. Kindly get Adani or other investor(s) to rebuild JKIA under a public-private partnership. We’ll secure our national interest in the PPP,” Kaluma stated.
Kaluma argued that upgrading JKIA is critical if Kenya is to remain competitive against regional rivals like Rwanda and Ethiopia, both of which have invested heavily in world-class aviation facilities.
The debate over JKIA’s future is expected to intensify as calls mount for the government to urgently find an investor capable of delivering a modern facility that meets international standards.
