ODM leader Raila Odinga has revisited the cancelled Adani deal, lamenting that Kenya squandered a golden opportunity to modernise Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA). He blamed political noise in Parliament for driving away the Indian conglomerate’s proposed investment.
Speaking on Monday, September 22, 2025, during the ODM Parliamentary Group meeting, Odinga explained that Adani’s plan was focused on upgrading JKIA, not exploiting Kenyan resources. He emphasized that misplaced political resistance created a hostile environment that pushed away the foreign investor.
“When Adani came here, Parliament created unnecessary uproar. They were not taking anything from us; they were investing their own funds. But because of political squabbles, they walked away, costing Kenya a critical project,” Raila said.
He noted that other countries have since embraced similar partnerships with the company, citing Kigali as an example. According to him, Adani’s terms in Rwanda mirror the deal Kenya rejected, meaning the benefits now bypass Nairobi entirely.
Odinga regretted that Kenya had allowed short-term political disputes to derail an initiative that would have boosted JKIA’s capacity, efficiency, and reputation as a leading regional hub. He accused unnamed parties of sabotaging a transformative project out of political rivalry.
His remarks come weeks after Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma called on President William Ruto to revive the Adani negotiations or identify another investor to modernise JKIA. Kaluma argued the current state of the airport is far below international standards.
In a statement on August 28, 2025, Kaluma described JKIA as unfit to represent Kenya as a regional gateway, comparing it unfavourably to facilities in Ethiopia and Rwanda. He stressed the need for urgent investment through a public-private partnership.
“Kenya can’t claim to be a regional hub without a world-class airport. JKIA resembles a cowshed. We must secure either Adani or another investor to redevelop it, while protecting national interests under a PPP framework,” Kaluma stated.
The debate over JKIA’s future is expected to intensify as leaders push the government to act swiftly. With regional competitors investing heavily in aviation, pressure is mounting for Kenya to secure modern facilities capable of matching international standards and boosting competitiveness.
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