What If We Left JKIA To The Adanis But With Clear Terms?

I know this might ignite some fires and stir emotions, but let’s pause for a moment and look deeper into this. There’s been a whirlwind of debate, outrage, and relentless uproar about the Adani Group’s alleged takeover of the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA). The din has been deafening—so loud that it has reverberated across the airport’s very runways, pushing the government into a frantic state of damage control, issuing statements from every corner.

But here’s the thing: amid all the clamor about the Adani Group and JKIA, the true meaning of what’s at stake has been lost. The Kenya Kwanza government, in typical fashion, has allowed misinformation, and disinformation to run rampant, saturating the entire discourse with half-truths and wild speculation. Let’s be real here: at this point, any statement from the Government of Kenya on this deal is met with nothing short of skepticism. Even a child might find it difficult to trust the official line.

The truth is that the government’s credibility has taken a nosedive on various issues. But beyond that, it’s their broken communication channels that have amplified their failures. In a deal worth billions, one that could define Kenya’s international hub for decades to come, they’ve fumbled the ball by allowing bloggers and online propagandists to break the news. For something this critical, wouldn’t you expect transparency from the start, delivered clearly and authoritatively?

That ship, however, has sailed. What’s done is done. The noise has already erupted, and now, it’s time for Kenyans to sift through the confusion, step back, and ask the bigger, tougher questions about the future of JKIA and the involvement of the Adanis.

Here’s my question to you: What if we allowed the Adani Group to take over the management of JKIA—but with stringent terms and conditions? After all, Kenyans have proven time and time again that they are not afraid to audit government projects themselves. The Adanis are well aware that this is not a passive citizenry; Kenyans are watching. So, if this deal were to happen under the spotlight, with clear, public terms, could it be worth considering?

Let’s take a trip down memory lane for a moment. Remember the infamous leaking roof at JKIA? That debacle was an international embarrassment. Instead of focusing on a solution to repair it, the former Transport Cabinet Secretary rushed to form a Committee of Inquiry. Ridiculous, yes, but more so, a testament to the broken systems in place. Rather than fix what was blatantly wrong, our leaders opted for bureaucracy and inaction.

And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. The truth, as uncomfortable as it may be, is that many of our leaders lack the capability, vision, and integrity to manage critical national infrastructure. Their minds are often preoccupied with personal gain rather than public service. Corruption has woven itself into the very fabric of how these systems are managed, from the ground up. With such leadership, JKIA’s decline has been inevitable. The question is, how long do we think it will take under the current management for JKIA to regain its former glory—or even surpass it? Realistically, that dream may never materialize.

But here’s where the Adanis, or another private investor, could come in. For them, it’s business. They would be driven by profit and efficiency, which means transforming JKIA into a world-class airport, bringing it to international standards, attracting more airlines, and increasing revenue. The concern many have is legitimate: What if the Adanis walk away with all the profits, leaving Kenya with little to show for it?

And that’s precisely why the Government of Kenya must wake up from its bureaucratic slumber. If this deal is truly for the benefit of the nation, the terms must be public, transparent, and open to scrutiny. Kenyans should be allowed to comb through every detail of the agreement and voice their opinions. If the Adanis are to take over JKIA, it must be on clear, understandable terms—terms that ensure Kenya’s interests are safeguarded.

Instead of allowing our politicians to turn JKIA into another avenue for plunder, why not entrust it to those who might truly understand its potential? Of course, JKIA is part of our national heritage, and there’s valid concern about “selling off” such a critical asset. But again, this is where clarity in communication is needed. Is it being sold? Or is it a strategic partnership that could inject much-needed capital and expertise into the airport?

It’s time for the government to speak up—clearly, truthfully, and with the interests of the nation at heart. Because, at the end of the day, the heart of this matter isn’t just about JKIA or the Adanis. It’s about how we, as a nation, handle our assets, our resources, and our future.

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