Search for Savings & Loans
Adani Group's Ksh116 Billion Electricity Deal Faces Scrutiny
News and Analysis

Adani Group's Ksh116 Billion Electricity Deal Faces Scrutiny

Indian conglomerate Adani Group is facing more trouble after Nairobi-based lawyer, Francis Njoroge Wanjiku wrote to the Kenya Electricity Transmission Company Limited (KETRACO) demanding access to particulars of any Private-Public Partnership (PPP) deal with the group.

In the letter obtained by Money254, Njoroge wants KETRACO to make public seven details of agreements with Adani, which is currently embroiled in protests across major airports in Kenya.

“We refer to the above subject matter. Our firm has become aware that your organization is planning to execute various agreements with Adani Energy Solutions (formerly Adani Transmission Limited) to implement various Public Private Partnerships in Kenya,” the letter reads in part.

Wanjiku, in exercise of the right to access to information, wants KETRACO to make public the project agreements with Adani as well as the financial capacity of the tendering company.

Read also: All You Need to Know About the New M-KOPA X20 Smartphone

Further, he is seeking the publicization of the details of the tendering process undertaken as well as legal, regulatory, social, economic and commercial viability appraisal.

Also being sought after are details of any public participation undertaken regarding the deal with Adani as well as approval from the Attorney General and any undertaking, letter of support, credit or risk guarantee or instrument issued by the Ministry within KETRACO’s knowledge.

“We require this information within fourteen (14) days of receipt of this letter. Failure to which we shall exercise our rights in accordance with the law,” the letter added.

The letter is in response to the Kenyan government reportedly approving a Ksh116.1 billion power transmission infrastructure proposal from Adani Energy Solutions in a project aimed at constructing 371km of transmission lines and five substations in the Eastern and Western parts of the East African country as part of the PPP deal between the Kenyan government and Adani.

The move is part of the country’s broader plan to upgrade its power infrastructure which has aged in recent years, contributing to an increase in leakages and frequent power blackouts that have already plunged the country into darkness twice in September alone. No other power blackout has been witnessed nationwide in 2024 before then.

Read also: Adani Deal Faces Uncertainty After Court Ruling

The move which began as a PPP deal sparked fears that Adani could be eyeing more than just a deal to have the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi leased to the Indian firm for up to 30 years.

As of last night (September 10), workers from the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) staged a go-slow, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded and international flights threatened with delays in terms of departures. This matter escalated the following day, with workers from the other major airports in Kenya downing their tools in solidarity with their colleagues over the proposed Adani deal, which has sparked uproar across not just aviation sectors in Kenya but also the entire nation.

The go-slow came a few days after the High Court suspended the planned leasing of JKIA to the Adani Group due to a case filed by the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) and the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) that challenged the decision to lease the airport.

The two organisations argued that JKIA is a profitable national asset and that the deal violates the principles of good governance, accountability, transparency, and the prudent and reasonable use of public money.

Justice John Chigiti ruled that no person or entity can implement the deal until the case filed in court is heard and determined on October 8.

Adani Enterprise Limited submitted a proposal on Friday, March 1, to take over the running and management of JKIA for 30 years. The government secretly accepted the proposal that grants the Indian multinational 100 percent control of Kenya’s largest airport. 

Read also: Revealed: Kenya's Ksh131 Billion IMF Loan Was Cancelled After Finance Bill Fall

No items found.

Marvin is a digital media practitioner and new media disciple who is the founder and editor-in-chief of Viral Tea Ke. Since beginning as an intern at Kenyans.co.ke he has been growing one of the fastest digital native media platforms in Kenya within a short time. He also features from time to time in op-eds published in newspapers including The Star, Daily Nation and People Daily. You can find him on X @marvin_chege10

Get the Money254 App and don't miss out on the next article.

Join 1.5M Kenyans using Money254 to find better loans, savings accounts, and money tips today.

Get it on Google Play
A person holds the Money254 App in their hand.

Welcome to Money254 - your simple way to compare loans in Kenya online.

Money 254 is a new platform focused on helping you make more out of the money you have. We've created a simple, fast and secure way to find and compare financial products that best match your needs. All of the information shown is from products available at established financial institutions that our team of experts has tirelessly collected.

Download the new Money254 App and don’t miss out on the next article.

Join 1.5M Kenyans using Money254 to find better loans, savings accounts, and money tips today.
Get it on Google Play

Learn more about Personal Loans available in Kenya on Money254

Money 254 is a new platform focused on helping you make more out of the money you have. We've created a simple, fast and secure way to find and compare financial products that best match your needs. All of the information shown is from products available at established financial institutions that our team of experts has tirelessly collected.

Instantly search loan products from established providers in Kenya and compare on the terms that matter most to you.
Money254
Find the best Personal Loans for me

Don't miss another article - download the new Money254 App Today

Get it on Google Play
Download the Money254 app on Google Playstore

Sign up for our newsletter and get weekly money tips to your inbox.

Get updates from the Money254 team on financial news and new Money254 features.