Dennis Itumbi, the Head of Creative Economy and Special Projects, faced a challenging moment on Thursday while defending the proposed leasing of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) to Adani Enterprises Limited. During a speech at a United Democratic Alliance (UDA) function held at the Bomas of Kenya, Itumbi encountered boos and jeers from university students who had been mobilised to attend the event. The students expressed their dissatisfaction with the controversial deal, voicing concerns about the implications of privatizing Kenya’s main international gateway.
The Proposed Adani Takeover
The proposed deal would see Adani Enterprises Limited, an Indian multinational conglomerate, take over the running and management of JKIA for a period of 30 years. Adani has committed to investing KSh 238 billion into upgrading and expanding the airport. However, the deal has ignited widespread public outcry due to concerns over transparency, its potential impact on the airport’s operations, and the fact that a profitable national asset would be transferred to private ownership.
Itumbi, in his address, attempted to justify the deal by comparing Kenya’s aviation infrastructure to that of neighboring countries. He argued that Rwanda and Ethiopia are making significant investments in their airports, and Kenya cannot afford to lag behind in the competitive aviation sector. Itumbi stated that Ethiopia is in the process of constructing one of the largest airports in Africa, while Rwanda is building a brand-new airport to rival JKIA. According to him, the partnership with Adani would be critical in maintaining Kenya’s position as a regional aviation hub.
Rising Opposition
The backlash against the Adani takeover has grown significantly since the proposal was submitted on March 1, 2024. The main concerns revolve around the secrecy of the deal and the decision-making process that led to its approval. The Kenya Airports Authority (KAA), which oversees the country’s airport operations, has faced scrutiny for its handling of the approval process. The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) and the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) have already moved to court in an attempt to block the deal, arguing that leasing a strategic national asset like JKIA is not only irrational but also against the country’s best interests.
One of the key criticisms is the speed with which KAA cleared the proposal. Critics point out that the feasibility study was reportedly approved in just 17 days, raising questions about the thoroughness of the review process. However, Adani Enterprises has denied that the entire proposal was approved in such a short time frame, clarifying that only the feasibility study was cleared in 17 days, while the broader approval process is still ongoing.
Workers’ Concerns
Among the most vocal opponents of the proposed lease have been JKIA’s workers, who fear that the privatization of the airport will lead to job losses and unfavorable working conditions. The Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) has held protests demanding that the government scrap the plan altogether. The workers argue that JKIA is a profitable venture and does not need private involvement to succeed. They also point out that Adani’s track record in other countries, particularly in airport management, has been controversial, fueling concerns about the company’s ability to handle such a vital asset.
National Debate on Privatisation
The proposed takeover of JKIA has sparked a broader national debate about the privatisation of strategic public assets. Many Kenyans are questioning the rationale behind leasing out one of the country’s most critical infrastructures to a private entity, particularly given its profitability. Furthermore, critics argue that the government has failed to adequately involve the public in the decision-making process, which only adds to the suspicion surrounding the deal.
For its part, the government has maintained that the lease would result in significant upgrades to JKIA, making it more competitive regionally and globally. Itumbi’s speech at the UDA function echoed these sentiments, as he emphasized the need for Kenya to stay ahead of its neighbors in terms of airport infrastructure. However, his attempts to sell the deal to the students present were unsuccessful, as the heckling and jeers continued throughout his speech.
The Road Ahead
With the Kenya Human Rights Commission and Law Society of Kenya in court to stop the deal, and with mounting public pressure, the future of the proposed Adani takeover remains uncertain. For now, the issue has exposed deep divisions about the privatization of key national assets and the transparency of government decisions. Whether the government can convince the public that this deal is in the country’s best interest remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the debate surrounding the Adani takeover of JKIA is far from over.
