Kenya, Sept. 22 -- At a fiery public rally in Kisumu on September 22, 2025, Raila Odinga, the leader of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), defended the controversial Adani Group deal, stating that the deal was intended to enhance Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), not to relinquish control.
Speaking to thousands of supporters, Odinga lambasted the critics who derailed the agreement, accusing them of prioritising politics over progress.
"Adani was supposed to improve our airport, not take it away from us. We have missed this because of some parties. "Shame on them!" he declared, igniting cheers from the crowd.
The Adani deal, a proposed $1.85 billion public-private partnership, aimed to modernise JKIA's infrastructure, including new terminals and runway upgrades.
Odinga, who initially backed the plan, argued it would boost Kenya's aviation hub status and create jobs. However, the deal collapsed in August 2025 amid public outcry and legal challenges, with critics alleging it would cede control of JKIA to the Indian conglomerate.
A High Court ruling halted the agreement, citing transparency concerns, as reported by The Standard. Odinga pointed fingers at "selfish" political factions and civil society groups, claiming their misinformation campaigns misled Kenyans.
"They manipulated the storyline to instill fear, leaving us with an outdated airport," he stated. He emphasised that the deal included safeguards to protect national interests, such as retaining the Kenya Airport Authority's (KAA) oversight.
Odinga's remarks come amid ongoing tensions with President William Ruto's administration, despite their March 2025 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The Kisumu rally, part of ODM's 20th anniversary celebrations, saw Odinga reaffirm his party's commitment to economic progress.
He cited the Adani deal as a missed opportunity to position JKIA as a regional leader, competing with hubs like Addis Ababa's Bole Airport. "We need investment, not fearmongering," he urged, calling for renewed talks on public-private partnerships.
Social media reactions were polarised. Supporters echoed Odinga's frustration, with one user posting, "Raila's right, JKIA needs upgrades, not protests."
Critics, however, accused him of downplaying sovereignty concerns, referencing a Nation report on public distrust in foreign-led deals.
The Kenya Aviation Workers Union, which opposed the Adani plan, reiterated concerns about job losses in a statement to Citizen Digital.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Bana Kenya.