MPs applaud Ruto's move to cancel Adani deals

Parliamentarians praised President William Ruto for cancelling the controversial deals with Indian-based giant, Adani Group.

Speaking moments after the President delivered his State of the Nation Address to Parliament, where he announced cancellation of the deals due to public uproar, the lawmakers said Ruto listened to Kenyans.

“We support the President but many Kenyans did not support Adani. So, we were in a bit of a problem. But now, the President has listened to Kenyans and cancelled the deals,” Matungu MP Oscar Nabulindo said. 

The Adani deals had tainted the image of the government due to corruption and bribery allegations against the firm, he said.

“We are also happy because the President promised to look into SHA (Social Health Authority) and sort out any issues.”

Garsen MP Ali Wario said the President’s move to cancel the deals demonstrated his resolve to fight corruption in government and listen to the voices of Kenyans.

“The President has spoken well, especially on corruption. Public participation is a key thing and I’m happy the President has listened.”

The President directed the cancellation of the Sh95 billion deal with Adani for the construction of power transmission lines as well as the ongoing negotiations to upgrade Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.

“The Adani part stood out for me. Adani has suffered bad publicity, with the latest indictment in the US over alleged bribery wounding him even more,” Alego Usonga MP Samuel Atandi said.

National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah said the President’s speech showed the government was firmly on course to implement its policies and programmes.

“The transformation of our nation is firmly on course, driven by unwavering commitment and bold action. While the journey has been painstaking, significant strides are being made to stabilise an economy that was on the brink just two years ago,” he said.

Nominated Senator Karen Nyamu said the President ordered the cancellation to instill confi - dence in the public.

“However good the deal is, we have to check the integrity as well and it is a very good move the President has taken,” she said.

“The President has given the country hope……..when you are a farmer and you plant a seed, you have to be patient for it to grow. I like that analogy.”

Nominated Senator Esther Okenyuri said the President’s address was quite inclusive.

“I hope, going forward, this is the same spirit we will embrace of listening to people because the people are always supreme,” she said.

Eldas MP Adan Keynan congratulated the President for terminating the deals that were suspected “from day one.”

He said the deals were wrongly placed, hence the public outrage that pushed the President to cancel them.

“What he has done is timely, progressive and Kenyan-oriented. I hope those who initiated the Adani deals will also be held accountable,” he said.

However, Keynan expressed disappointment with the President’s failure to address the issues of pastoralist communities.