LSK wants costs, losses in Adani deals made public

The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has demanded full transparency regarding the costs and losses incurred in the controversial Adani deals.

In a statement issued on Thursday, LSK president Faith Odhiambo underscored the need for accountability and protocol adherence to safeguard national assets.

“We call upon the government to make public all costs and losses incurred and ensure that appropriate measures are undertaken to ensure minimization of losses to the country," Odhiambo said.

This comes after President William Ruto’s big move to call for immediate cancellation of the Adani Group deals.

These agreements involving the Adani Group and the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) and the Kenya Electricity Transmission Company (Ketraco) have been subject to public and legal scrutiny.

The LSK previously challenged these deals through legal proceedings initiated on September 9, 2024, and October 23, 2024.

The society argued that the proposed Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) with Adani Group subsidiaries risked compromising Kenya’s sovereignty.

Odhiambo welcomed the move by the President to cancel the deals.

She described the move as a reconciliatory and people-centred approach that addresses the public's overwhelming concerns.

“We welcome this presidential directive, which is in line with the will and best interests of the people of Kenya," she said.

"While we were prepared to prosecute both matters to a conclusion, we acknowledge that a concession on the part of the government on the overwhelming concerns around the two proposals is a more expeditious, reconciliatory, and people-driven approach toward resolving the protracted impasse between the people of Kenya and their government,” Odhiambo said

Odhiambo further urged the government to prioritise public concerns when executing their mandates.

She called on Kenyans to remain vigilant in protecting the nation’s sovereignty and upholding constitutional values under Article 10.

Ruto on Thursday ordered the immediate cancellation of the planned Adani Group takeover deal of the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.

Ruto at the same time directed the cancellation of the signed deal with the Kenya Electricity Transmission Company, Ketraco.

In his State of the Nation address at Parliament, Ruto said this was in view of new evidence by local investigative agencies and information from partner states that link the Indian conglomerate with graft.