JKIA-Adani Deal: 16 Top State Officials Head to India for Critical ‘Due Diligence’ Mission
Sixteen high-ranking Kenyan officials are set to travel to India on Tuesday evening for a “due diligence” mission regarding Adani Holdings’ financial records. This visit comes amidst growing controversy over a proposed lease agreement for Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) to the Indian company.
According to a travel itinerary obtained by Gossipa2z.com, the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) officials will depart from JKIA on a Kenya Airways flight at 4:45 pm, arriving at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai at 1:30 am after a six-hour journey.
From Mumbai, the officials will take another flight to Ahmedabad in western India, where the headquarters of Adani Holdings, owned by billionaire Gautam Adani, is located.
During their stay, the delegation will engage in meetings with Adani Holdings’ senior executives and participate in a benchmarking tour of the company’s managed facilities, including airports. They are scheduled to return to Kenya after seven days, on September 10.
The Kenyan delegation comprises 14 senior KAA managers, along with two officials from the Attorney-General’s office and the National Treasury.
The itinerary includes KAA board members Nicholas Otieno Bodo, Serah Njeri Kimani, George Njuguna Ngugi, and Walter Obonyo Ogola. Also traveling are Ambrose Munene Njagi from the Treasury PPP Committee, Kenneth Kisembe Ngaina, Acting Manager of Wilson Airport, John Ngare Mucugu, Manager of Security Services at KAA headquarters, Walter Agong, Manager of Operations at JKIA, Sharon Gatwiri Irungu from the State Law Office, Umi Luhindi, Head of Marketing at JKIA, and Harrison Papelo Machio, General Manager of Operations.
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Other members of the delegation include Meshack Ochieng, General Manager of Engineering, Alphonce Ogutu, Manager of Projects at KAA headquarters, Vincent Korir, General Manager of Procurement, Mahamud Gedi, General Manager of Finance, and Fridah Mbugua, the Company Secretary.
There is growing urgency as the government aims to finalize the deal between JKIA and Adani Holdings by November, with a six-month deadline looming.
At a public participation meeting held in Nairobi last Friday, KAA Acting Managing Director Henry Ogoye informed stakeholders that Adani Holdings might withdraw if the deal isn’t completed by November.
Mr. Ogoye defended the JKIA concession, stating he was unaware of any negative aspects of Adani and emphasized that the KAA had dispatched a 16-member team to India for thorough due diligence.
The officials will inspect the airports managed by Adani Holdings in India.
“I have worked with Adani for six months. We should not let emotions take over. Even if Adani does not stay for 30 years, another company could step in,” Mr. Ogoye reassured stakeholders.
He also mentioned that once the agreement is finalized, it will be submitted to the Attorney-General’s office and the Cabinet for official signing.
Regarding accountability, KAA committed to representing Adani Holdings before Parliament to address any concerns.
Airport staff have reported that a team from Adani Holdings is already in Kenya, assessing JKIA assets in preparation for the takeover. These officials have been granted temporary access to the airport.
Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU), led by Secretary-General Moss Ndiema, issued new demands on Monday, including the removal of Adani officials from the airport.
Mr. Ndiema criticized KAA for proceeding with the public participation process without disclosing all relevant documents on the deal to the public.
JKIA-Adani Deal: 16 Top State Officials Head to India for Critical ‘Due Diligence’ Mission
