President Ruto Shifts Blame to Kenyans Over Canceled JKIA-Adani Deal

In a hurry? Here’s a quick summary…

• President William Ruto canceled a controversial Ksh.260 billion deal with Adani Group for JKIA expansion, citing corruption concerns but later blamed Kenyans for opposing the project.
• Critics argue the public only demanded transparency and accountability, not the rejection of infrastructure development.

In politics, unpredictability often shapes the narrative. This trait defined President-elect Donald Trump’s campaign rhetoric, where he famously stated, “I’d rather not play my cards; I want to be unpredictable.” 

Closer to home, Kenya’s President William Ruto appears to have embraced a similar approach, though opinions remain divided on whether it reflects strategic political mastery or a struggle for survival.

Ruto’s unpredictability recently came to the fore with the controversial cancellation of a Ksh.260 billion deal with India’s Adani Group to upgrade Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA). 

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The deal, which faced public backlash for months, was scrapped during the president’s State of the Nation address. 

Citing evidence from investigative agencies, Ruto ordered the cancellation of procurement processes in both aviation and energy sectors, emphasizing his zero-tolerance stance on corruption.

“In the face of undisputed evidence or credible information on corruption, I will not hesitate to take action,” he declared, adding that both the JKIA project and a transmission line deal under KETRACO were under scrutiny following revelations from investigative partners.

Public sentiment had long been skeptical of Adani’s Public Private Partnership (PPP) deal, especially after the firm’s chairperson, Gautam Adani, faced bribery charges in the US. 

However, Ruto’s swift decision to cancel the deal was soon overshadowed by a sharp change in tone.

Barely two weeks later, during a speech in Taita Taveta, the president lashed out at critics, blaming Kenyans for halting the project. 

“What gain do you get when you stop the building of an airport in your country? Some of those opposing it have never even stepped foot in an airport,” Ruto lamented, visibly frustrated. 

He went on to label opposition to his legacy projects as destructive, urging for prayers against what he termed a “spirit of opposition.”

While Ruto reaffirmed his commitment to upgrading JKIA, his remarks drew fresh criticism. 

Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna highlighted that Kenyans were not against infrastructure development but were merely demanding transparency and accountability. 

“It didn’t matter if Adani got the deal as long as the process was transparent and credible,” Sifuna said during an interview on Radio Citizen.

The controversy raises questions about the president’s handling of public dissent and his ability to balance strategic decision-making with genuine public concerns. 

Whether Ruto’s approach will solidify his political legacy or erode public trust remains to be seen.