Nelson Amenya, the whistleblower who recently exposed the controversial plan by the Kenyan government to lease Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) to India’s Adani Airport Holdings Limited, claims he has received threats and intimidation from various sources, including the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI). Amenya’s exposé has sparked a nationwide debate, as the public raises concerns over the secrecy and potential implications of the deal.
Barely two months ago, Amenya began revealing documents detailing the terms and conditions of the proposed agreement between the Kenyan government and Adani Group. The revelation has opened Pandora’s box, leading to widespread opposition from the public and civil society. Despite government assurances that the deal has not yet been finalized, Kenyans have voiced their disapproval, questioning why the negotiations have been shrouded in secrecy.
In a recent interview with KTN, Amenya disclosed that he has been receiving threats from Indian bloggers and unknown individuals in Kenya. The DCI has also reportedly reached out to him, warning him that he could face numerous charges related to the exposure of the deal. Amenya, a 30-year-old student currently pursuing a Master’s in Business Administration at HEC Paris in France, expressed fears for his safety.
“I don’t think I’m really safe. I’ve received a lot of threats since the day I exposed this deal, from Indian bloggers as well as within Kenya. The DCI tries to intimidate us by sending trumped-up charges,” Amenya said during the interview.
Amenya’s concerns are not just about his personal safety but also the implications of the deal for Kenya’s national assets. According to Amenya, Adani Group seeks to have sole control over JKIA, which they plan to use as collateral for securing loans. This condition, among others, has raised red flags about the potential risks involved in handing over control of a strategic national asset to a foreign entity.
The terms of the deal, as revealed by Amenya, include a clause that would allow Adani to terminate the agreement if the Kenyan government fails to protect the company’s business interests. Furthermore, the government would be obligated to ensure that Adani receives an annual concessional fee of Ksh.50 million, paid quarterly in advance.
Amenya also highlighted that Adani had requested the transfer of the title deed of the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) to their name, ostensibly to use it as collateral for loans. Additionally, Adani plans to renegotiate workers’ contracts after two years, a move that has raised concerns about potential job losses and changes to working conditions for JKIA employees.
One of the most troubling aspects of the deal, according to Amenya, is the financial arrangement where revenues generated from Special Purpose Bonds (SPBs) in Kenya would be funneled through a separate SPB in Abu Dhabi before reaching Adani. This circuitous route has raised suspicions of financial impropriety.
“The revenue from the SPB in Kenya goes to the SPB in Abu Dhabi and then goes to the Indian company, Adani,” Amenya explained. “So this alone raised a red flag—why can’t they do business directly from Kenya to India? Why does it have to go through Dubai? If you follow the news, UAE is a significant tax haven, and one of the ways they launder money is through SPBs.”
Amenya, who holds a Bachelor’s degree in Design and Advertising from Moi University, has emerged as a vocal critic of the JKIA-Adani deal, questioning the lack of transparency and potential risks to Kenya’s sovereignty and financial stability. His revelations have not only sparked public outrage but also drawn attention to the need for greater scrutiny of government dealings involving national assets.
As Amenya continues to voice his concerns, the government faces mounting pressure to address the public’s questions and ensure that any agreements entered into are in the best interest of the country. Meanwhile, the threats against Amenya serve as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by whistleblowers in their quest for transparency and accountability.
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