The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has called on the government to disclose all costs and losses associated with the controversial Adani deals that President William Ruto recently canceled following widespread public backlash.
In a statement on Thursday, LSK President Faith Odhiambo commended the president’s decision to terminate the proposed Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) between the Adani Group, Kenya Airports Authority (KAA), and KETRACO, describing the move as being in the best public interest.
“We appreciate the president’s reevaluation of these agreements and view it as a step toward constitutionally compliant governance,” Odhiambo stated. She further urged the government to make public the financial implications of the canceled deals and implement measures to minimize losses to the country.
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The LSK emphasized the importance of adhering to the Constitution, noting that addressing the concerns surrounding the Adani deals was long overdue. “It would have been detrimental to the government’s duty to act in the public’s best interests if these issues were recognized only after the deals were implemented,” the statement read.
Odhiambo revealed that the LSK had been prepared to challenge the agreements in court but welcomed the government’s decision to act on public concerns. “While we were ready to pursue the matters to conclusion, the government’s concession on these issues is a more expedient and people-centered approach to resolving the impasse between Kenyans and their government,” she said.
The LSK also urged the government to prioritize public opinion on matters of national importance and called on citizens to remain vigilant in safeguarding Kenya’s sovereignty and adherence to constitutional values.
President Ruto, in his State of the Nation address, cited new information from investigative agencies and international partners as the basis for canceling the deals. However, the decision followed allegations that Gautam Adani, chair of the Indian conglomerate Adani Group, had paid Ksh.30 billion in bribes to secure solar energy contracts in the United States.
The proposed deals included a Ksh.260 billion project to renovate the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) over 30 years and a Ksh.95 billion investment to develop the country’s transmission lines, both under the PPP model. The LSK’s statement reflects its commitment to ensuring accountability and public interest in governance decisions.