Gladys Boss Shollei, National Assembly deputy speaker and Uasin Gishu Woman Representative, has emphasized the necessity for Kenya to continue pursuing Public Private Partnerships (PPPs), even in the wake of President William Ruto’s cancellation of the Adani deals.
Speaking during a TV interview on Monday morning, November 25, 2024, Shollei highlighted the country’s limited financial capacity to fund big-ticket infrastructural projects, asserting that PPPs remain the most viable solution.
“I think going forward we still have no choice, we will still have to go into public private partnerships – that’s my personal opinion,” she stated.
Reflecting on the lessons from the Adani deals’ cancellation, Shollei underlined the importance of vetting future PPPs thoroughly and incorporating public participation in the decision-making process.
“I just think there are lessons learnt from what has happened now (Adani deal cancellation), that it is important actually to make it public, probably advertise for requests for expressions of interest from anyone, and make sure that there is a public participation and explain to people that we need to fund the following projects,” she explained.
Ageing power lines
Shollei further stressed the need to communicate effectively with the public about the country’s ageing transmission infrastructure.
She warned that if the issue of the transmission lines is not addressed soon Kenya risks being plagued by crippling power outages like South Africa.
“And explain to Kenyans our transmission lines are coming to end of term which means we could end up with no electricity like South Africa,” she warned.
She advocated for a transparent process to encourage wide participation and foster public trust.
“And then making sure you publicize and open up the ability for everyone to apply and then as you are going through the application process you can notify that the following companies have advertised, let Kenyans be able to be sensitized about it. I think that’s the way to go,” Shollei added.
Adani deals
Adani Energy Solutions had entered into an agreement with Kenya Electricity Transmission Company Limited (KETRACO) before Ruto pulled the plug.
The deal, valued at Ksh95.68 billion granted Adani Energy Solutions the responsibility to develop, finance, construct, and operate vital transmission lines and substations across Kenya.
In his State of the Nation address on November 21, 2024, Ruto announced the cancellations of Adani KETRACO deal and the planned leasing of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) to the Indian conglomerate.
The president emphasized that his decision was guided by credible information from investigative agencies and international partners, aligning with Kenya’s constitutional principles of transparency and accountability.
“I have stated in the past, and I now repeat today, that in the face of undisputed evidence or credible information on corruption, I will not hesitate to take decisive action,” he declared.
Ruto directed the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum to act immediately, cancelling both the ongoing JKIA procurement process and the KETRACO transmission public-private partnership (PPP) deal.
“Accordingly, I now direct in furtherance of the 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 within the ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum immediately cancel the ongoing procurement process for the JKIA expansion public-private partnership,” Ruto said.
Ruto’s speech was met with a standing ovation from lawmakers as he announced the decision to cancel Adani Group’s controversial deals.
The president reiterated his stance, citing corruption concerns as the basis for terminating the agreements involving JKIA and KETRACO.
