20 September 2024

Adani Airport Controversy in Kenya Discredits India’s Reputation in Africa

Rushali Saha

Earlier this month, a long-simmering dispute involving the Adani Group erupted into a full-blown aviation crisis with hundreds of passengers stranded at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA). Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) members are protesting against the build-and-operate agreement allegedly in the works with the Adani Group, which critics say is expected to result in significant job losses and impose additional tax burden on Kenyans.

Union workers are demanding the government disclose all details of the proposed agreement, which remains shrouded in secrecy. They have found support from opposition leaders, who are calling for the project to be abandoned.

In response to a petition by the Kenya Human Rights Commission and Law Society of Kenya to stop the deal, the high court has granted a temporary order, suspending the deal pending the determination of the case. While the government’s position is that only a legally non-binding “head of terms” agreement has been signed with Adani, senators allege that the “takeover” project is a “done deal.”

No comments: