Latest news with #RailaOdinga
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Business Standard
5 hours ago
- Business
- Business Standard
Kenya's ex-PM disappointed Adani deal for JKI airport expansion failed
Kenya's former prime minister Raila Odinga has said that he was disappointed when the Adani deal to expand and manage the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) collapsed, according to a media report on Friday. Odinga, while speaking on the second day of the National Executive Retreat in Karen in Nairobi, also said that the deal was politicised, resulting in its cancellation, The Star newspaper reported. "I was very disappointed when we were not able to move on with the airport contract that was very unfortunate, he was quoted as saying by the newspaper. The leader of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) said should the deal have proceeded, it would have elevated Nairobi into a regional economic hub. He said that the first expansion contract for JKIA was awarded during his tenure as the Prime Minister but was later on cancelled after the grand coalition government left office. We had awarded the Greenfield airport contract before we left government with Mwai Kibaki in 2012. That contract was cancelled, then it was given to the same contractor but then again cancelled because of disagreements. When we got to Adani, they (the political rivals) brought politics and the contract was cancelled," he said. If that is not done, Nairobi will just become dormant. Look at Addis Ababa, they are going and now putting up a new big airport and it's going to be the hub around, he added. Under the proposed airport deal worth nearly $2 billion, the conglomerate was to add a second runway at JKIA and upgrade the passenger terminal. It was also to operate it on a 30-year lease.
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Business Standard
7 hours ago
- Business
- Business Standard
Kenya's ex-PM disappointed as Adani deal for JKI airport expansion fails
Kenya's former prime minister Raila Odinga has said that he was disappointed when the Adani deal to expand and manage the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) collapsed, according to a media report on Friday. Odinga, while speaking on the second day of the National Executive Retreat in Karen in Nairobi, also said that the deal was politicised, resulting in its cancellation, The Star newspaper reported. "I was very disappointed when we were not able to move on with the airport contract that was very unfortunate, he was quoted as saying by the newspaper. The leader of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) said should the deal have proceeded, it would have elevated Nairobi into a regional economic hub. He said that the first expansion contract for JKIA was awarded during his tenure as the Prime Minister but was later on cancelled after the grand coalition government left office. We had awarded the Greenfield airport contract before we left government with Mwai Kibaki in 2012. That contract was cancelled, then it was given to the same contractor but then again cancelled because of disagreements. When we got to Adani, they (the political rivals) brought politics and the contract was cancelled," he said. If that is not done, Nairobi will just become dormant. Look at Addis Ababa, they are going and now putting up a new big airport and it's going to be the hub around, he added. Under the proposed airport deal worth nearly $2 billion, the conglomerate was to add a second runway at JKIA and upgrade the passenger terminal. It was also to operate it on a 30-year lease. Odinga said if the airport construction is done, it has the potential to become Africa's top airline.
NDTV
8 hours ago
- Business
- NDTV
'Was Disappointed When Adani Nairobi Airport Deal Was Cancelled': Ex Kenya PM
Blaming political manoeuvring for the collapse of the deal under which the Adani Group would carry out the expansion of, and manage, the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi, former Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga has warned that the city now risks becoming dormant while other countries could become regional hubs in Africa. Speaking during the Third National Executive Retreat, also attended by Kenyan President William Ruto, in Nairobi's suburb of Karen on Friday, Mr Odinga, who is a leader of the Orange Democractic Movement (ODM), said the first expansion contract for JKIA was awarded while he was the prime minister, but was cancelled after the coalition government led by him left office. The same contractor was given the contract again, but it was cancelled a second time. "We had awarded the Greenfield airport contract before we left government with Mwai Kibaki in 2012. That contract was cancelled, then it was given to the same contractor but then again cancelled because of disagreements. When we brought in Adani, they (referring to his political opponents) brought politics and the contract was cancelled," Mr Odinga said. "I was very disappointed when we were not able to move on with the airport contract, that was very unfortunate," he added. Pointing out that Kenya is fortunate to be strategically located and could become a big hub, Mr Odinga said Nairobi could become dormant if the expansion is not done. "Look at Addis Ababa, it's growing and now they are putting up a new big airport. So Addis Ababa will be the new hub around. Ethiopian Airlines is now the dominant airline on the continent. Kenya Airways can do the same. Kenya Airways can be the carrier on the continent, but we are not doing it, we need to find a way. Look at Emirates, people there do not look at the airline for profits, it is basically a vehicle bringing investors, shoppers and tourists to the Emirates," he said. Reiterating his point and warning that Nairobi was missing out on an opportunity, he added, "Put up a big airport in Nairobi. If you don't do it, Rwanda is going to do it and Kigali will become the hub around here. You can do it in Nairobi and it will become the Dubai of Africa."
Hans India
9 hours ago
- Business
- Hans India
Disappointed when Adani airport deal cancelled, they're credible partner: Kenya's Odinga
Nairobi: Kenya's former Prime Minister Raila Odinga on Friday said he was disappointed when the Adani Group deal to expand and manage Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) got cancelled. On the second day of the National Executive Retreat in Karen here, Odinga said that should the deal have proceeded, it would have elevated Nairobi into a regional economic hub, as per local media. "I was very disappointed when we were not able to move on with the airport contract that was very unfortunate,' the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader was quoted as saying in the Nairobi Leo publication. Citing political manoeuvring as the key reason for the deal's collapse, he said: "Kenya is very strategically located. I was very disappointed when we were not able to move on with the airport contract... If that is not done, Nairobi will become dormant." Before the cancellation of the deal, Odinga was among the leaders who defended the Adani Group. Kenyan President William Ruto ordered the cancellation of the Adani-JKIA expansion deal as well as the Adani-Ketraco deal, while issuing the State of the Nation Address in Parliament on November 21, 2024. Odinga said that the country lost a strategic opportunity after the deal fell through, adding that Adani's capabilities surpass those of other firms in East Africa. "Adani is a credible partner. They have proven their capabilities in projects that surpass what we have seen in East Africa," he said. The Adani Group has been interested in investing in Kenya since 2010, but this interest was hindered by the lack of a proper legal framework for public-private partnerships (PPPs) at the time. "I want to say that there needs to be transparency when dealing with such issues; otherwise, we risk condemning very reputable companies… Do not condemn innocent companies that are engaged in legitimate commercial transactions," the Kenyan leader was quoted as saying.
Zawya
05-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Somaliland Irro's Nairobi meetings span recognition, Horn issues
Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi Irro on Monday met with Kenya's opposition leader Raila Odinga, at his Nairobi residence, in the latest push by the breakaway region seeking recognition of its independence. Mr Odinga issued a brief statement confirming that he and his wife, Ida, had received President Irro and his delegation. The visiting team included cabinet ministers and representatives from Somaliland's liaison office in Kenya. No further details were provided on the nature of the discussions.'I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the esteemed African statesman, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, for the gracious farewell dinner hosted in my honour and that of my delegation,' Mr Irro said.'Your unwavering support for Somaliland's aspiration to claim its rightful place among the community of nations is deeply appreciated. Your leadership and steadfast commitment to Africa's unity and development continue to inspire us all. Together, we remain dedicated to a future of peace, recognition, and shared prosperity.'Mr Odinga has previously voiced his support for the region and his family is said to have close contacts with some Somaliland politicians, including former president Muse Bihi. The two leaders also discussed the rapidly changing geopolitical landscape of the Horn of Africa, emphasising the importance of African-led solutions and inclusive development."This meeting reaffirmed the enduring friendship, mutual respect and shared democratic values that have long bound Somaliland and Kenya," said the Somaliland presidency.'He [President Irro] lauded Odinga's enduring commitment to justice, dignity, and the pursuit of self-determination, which has elevated Somaliland's profile on continental and global stages,' Igeh said. Irro: Somaliland is open to trade, innovation and dialogueA key power broker in East Africa, Odinga has never shied away from publicly backing Somaliland's sovereignty, often urging the African Union to confront the political reality in the Horn of Africa."The AU needs to accept that it will never again be possible to reunite these two countries and recognise them as one," he declared in 2020. 'Somaliland is a reality the world has to live with.'This visit came after the opening of a Somaliland liaison office in Nairobi last week, despite Kenya's previous reluctance. It turned out that Kenya was uncomfortable with the labelling of the office as a diplomatic mission. Eventually, Somaliland simply named it a mission office. Last week, President Irro held a private meeting with President William Ruto, reportedly discussing bilateral cooperation in education, peace and security, economic integration, and governance. Although Ruto's office has not issued a formal statement, the meeting signalled Kenya's support for Somaliland amid rising regional tensions. © Copyright 2022 Nation Media Group. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
