Adani and 4 other ideas Raila believed would change Kenya
By David Nthua, October 20, 2025The late Raila Amolo Odinga, a visionary and reformist, often said that Kenya’s transformation would not come through slogans but through bold, structural ideas.
Throughout his decades-long political journey, the former prime minister championed projects and policy reforms that, in his words, could “redesign the foundation of Kenya’s future.”
Among them were the Adani-JKIA partnership, the Building Bridges Initiative, the equalisation of gender representation, the reform of the Constituency Development Fund, and the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) framework.
The Adani-JKIA investment
Raila was one of the advocates for the Public-Private Partnership model in Kenya’s infrastructure development.
He once recounted visiting Gujarat, India, where he witnessed Adani’s transformation of a swamp into a thriving port, power plant and industrial hub.
Also watch Raila Odinga Criticises Cancellation of Adani Deal
“In Mumbai, I witnessed how they transformed a collapsing airport into a world-class facility, and their power projects benefit millions,” he said.
Raila explained that Adani had expressed interest in investing in Kenya more than a decade ago but was delayed by the absence of a legal framework for PPPs.
He stressed that Kenya’s PPP laws were inspired by India’s, particularly from Gujarat, but warned that investor confidence depended on transparency and fairness.
“There have been misgivings about how the PPP processes for JKIA and the energy sector have been handled, but we must ensure that Kenya remains an attractive destination for such investments,” he said.
“Adani is a credible partner. They have proven their capabilities in projects that surpass what we have seen in East Africa,” the late enigma said.
The Building Bridges Initiative (BBI)
Through the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI), Raila sought to address long-standing governance and justice gaps.
Also, he defended the creation of the Judiciary Ombudsman, saying it would allow citizens to raise concerns about judicial conduct.
“The ombudsman will be appointed through a competitive process and vetted by Parliament.
“It will not interfere with the Judiciary’s independence. That is propaganda,” the late Raila clarified then.
The CDF overhaul
Raila also pushed for the removal of CDF funds from MPs, arguing they should be administered by line ministries like Education and Transport for accountability.
He championed gender equality, calling for the implementation of the one-third rule in Parliament to reflect inclusivity in governance.
Finally, through the NADCO report, Raila supported national dialogue as a path to healing Kenya’s political divisions.
To him, these initiatives were not mere policies but the pillars of a just, modern, and united nation.
At somepoint, the fearless Raila said “We are not supposed to be funding projects through NG-CDF when we already have two levels of government: national and county.
“Parliament should focus on doing what it is constitutionally mandated to do, particularly oversight. If you are both an MP and a contractor, then who is truly carrying out the oversight role?”
Independence of political parties
Raila Odinga believed deeply in the independence of political parties, calling them the heartbeat of democracy.
He opposed any move that threatened their autonomy or hinted at returning Kenya to a one-party state. To him, strong parties represented freedom of thought and political diversity.
He maintained that democracy thrives when parties compete on ideas, not personalities, and that silencing dissent within them would amount to eroding the democratic gains Kenyans fought so hard for.
Intrusion of the criminal justice system
Raila championed an independent judiciary and a fair criminal justice system, free from political interference. He warned against leaders using prosecutions to intimidate opponents or advance personal interests.
Having endured unjust detentions himself, he viewed justice as sacred and impartial.
He often said Kenya’s courts must serve the people, not the powerful, and that the rule of law should protect every citizen equally, regardless of their status or political alignment.