Political activist Morara Kebaso has spoken out following the news that Indian billionaire Gautam Adani has been charged with fraud in the United States.
Adani, one of the world’s wealthiest individuals, has been accused of orchestrating a Ksh32 billion ($250 million or £198 million) bribery scheme and concealing it to secure funding in the US.
The accusations come amid scrutiny of Adani’s business dealings in Kenya, where his firm Adani Airports Holdings Ltd (AAHL) was poised to take over the operations of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).
In a statement shared on his X account on Thursday, November 21, 2024, Morara commended Kisii County Senator Richard Onyonga for being one of the people who spoke against AAHL.
The activist condemned those who defended the deal.
“The US has issued a warrant of arrest for Adani in fraud charges. Thank you @amenya_nelson and @RichardOnyonka_—you have been vindicated. Integrity is priceless. To those who defended Adani for their greed, shame on you.”
The proposal to lease JKIA to AAHL, a subsidiary of the Adani Group, had stirred controversy in Kenya earlier this year. In July 2024, a whistleblower exposed irregularities in the deal, prompting widespread criticism and public outcry.
Despite the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) initially clearing Adani’s firm to proceed with the takeover, the process was halted after a court order intervened.
Adani-JKIA deal
The Indian company had proposed investing $1.85 billion (Ksh238 billion) to modernize and expand JKIA, with plans to manage it for 30 years before handing it back to the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA).
However, concerns arose among aviation workers who feared potential job losses following Adani Group’s two-year transition period, despite the company’s promise to retain existing staff. Many stakeholders had also called for a competitive bidding process to ensure transparency in awarding the contract.
Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) Secretary General Moses Ndiema addressed these concerns on Wednesday evening, September 11, 2024, emphasizing that the union does not support leasing out the airport under the current terms.
Ndiema reassured aviation workers of his commitment to their interests.
“Ata wakate mkono sita sign,” Ndiema said.
“What I can say on my part very briefly ni kwamba hatujasema sisi tumekubali Adani. Pili, tutapewa kura ya turufu – veto power ambayo kalamu yetu itahitajika ndo isonge hatua moja mbele, hio ni sawa sawa? Na si munanijua? Si munaniamini? Kama ni mbaya si ntawaambia? Na ata wakate mkono sita sign sindio?”
This came after the union suspended a strike that had disrupted operations at key airports across the country opposing the controversial deal.
Adani scandal
The indictment, filed in New York, accuses Adani and senior executives of paying Indian officials to win deals projected to yield Ksh259 billion ($2 billion) in profits over 20 years.
Prosecutors said that Adani’s firm misled US and international investors while raising $3 billion in loans and bonds, concealing the bribery scheme and obstructing a 2022 investigation. US Attorney Breon Peace stated the charges highlight efforts to protect investors and combat international corruption.
Adani, a close ally of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has denied past reports of benefiting from political connections. The Adani Group has not commented on the charges, which follow prior fraud claims that caused a market sell-off in 2023.
