Kenya cancels airport, power deals with India’s Adani group

Kenyan President William Ruto on Thursday canceled controversial agreements with India’s Adani Group involving Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and a state-owned electricity service.

During his annual state of the nation address, Ruto said he had instructed agencies to "immediately cancel the ongoing procurement process for the JKIA Expansion Public Private Partnership transaction, as well as the recently concluded KETRACO transmission line."

The announcement followed charges in the United States against Adani Group founder Gautam Adani for alleged bribery and fraud.

“In the face of undisputed evidence or credible information on corruption, I will not hesitate to take decisive action,” Ruto said, drawing loud cheers from lawmakers.

The $1.85 billion airport deal would have allowed the Indian firm to lease Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, one of Africa’s busiest, for 30 years. Airport workers protested the deal with a strike in September.

Ruto also terminated Adani’s $736 million bid to develop and operate electricity transmission lines across Kenya through the state-owned Kenya Electricity Transmission Company (KETRACO).

The president said his government would "immediately commence the process of onboarding alternative partners."