In a hurry? Here’s a quick summary…
- Eugene Wamalwa has urged President Ruto to cancel the Adani-linked healthcare deal, citing credibility and corruption concerns.
- The government has begun terminating Adani contracts, assuring no cost implications, after U.S. bribery allegations against the group.
DAP-Kenya leader Eugene Wamalwa has urged President William Ruto to cancel the Integrated Healthcare Information Technology System deal, citing its alleged links to the embattled Adani Group.
According to Wamalwa, the deal lacks credibility and accountability due to the involvement of the controversial company.
Wamalwa criticized both President Ruto and ODM leader Raila Odinga for what he described as granting Adani a “clean bill of health” despite the company’s questionable track record.
“We are going to fight the attempted return of the Finance Bill, 2024. Today, we are telling Bwana Ruto: yes, you have dropped the Adani-JKIA and Adani-KETRACO deals, but why have you not extended the same order to the health sector? Tunajua Adani ako kwenye SHA. In fact, we need to call that thing AdaniSHA,” he stated.
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His remarks come shortly after President Ruto’s directive to terminate agreements with Adani Group, including projects involving the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) and the Kenya Electricity Transmission Company (KETRACO).
These cancellations followed U.S. bribery charges against Gautam Adani, the group’s founder.
The government has since assured Kenyans there will be no cost implications from canceling the contracts.
According to National Treasury and Economic Planning Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi, the Directorate of Public-Private Partnerships and relevant ministries have begun the termination process.
“As of now, we are in the process of termination. My final brief will include any possible cost implications, but I think, in my view, there shouldn’t be any,” Mbadi said.
Citizen TV reports that the Ministry of Energy, led by Opiyo Wandayi, and the Directorate of Public-Private Partnerships are currently examining the legal and financial aspects of withdrawing from the deals.
The government has maintained that Adani’s alleged corruption and fictitious dealings violate the principles of fair contracting and public-private partnership laws.
“The contract was signed based on Adani’s presentation. If that presentation was fictitious or false, then there is no contract. When you do a contract, it must be with clean hands. That is a very basic principle in law,” Mbadi emphasized.
Adani’s indictment in New York has heightened scrutiny of its global operations, including its ventures in Kenya, prompting the government to distance itself from the conglomerate’s dealings.