Leaders from the political divide have given varied
reactions to President William Ruto’s cancelation of all Adani Group deals with
the government, majority terming it commendable.
Ruto unexpectedly directed the cancellation of the Sh96 billion contract signed between the Indian conglomerate and the Kenya Electricity Transmission Company (Ketraco) in October, and one that was underway for the takeover of the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for Sh238 billion.
Both deals were to subsist for 30 years, with the Energy and
Petroleum Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi earlier in the day having assured
that the indictment of billionaire Gautam Adani for fraud in the US would not
change engagements with his firm in Kenya.
But in a sudden turn of events, Ruto cancelled the deals
hours later during his State of the Nation address in the bicameral Parliament,
earning himself a rare standing ovation from senators and Members of the
National Assembly.
The President directed the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum to "immediately begin the process of onboarding new partners for the projects.
"Honourable members, I have stated in the past and now
reiterate today that in the face of undisputed evidence or credible information
on corruption I will not hesitate to take decisive action,” Ruto told the MPs.
The news was met with ululation from Kenyans who have been
opposed to dealings with the Indian company owing to the secretive manner the
contracts appeared to be executed.
In a statement on X, Saboti MP Caleb Amisi added his voice
to the jubilation noting that what the President had done was exactly what is
required of leaders.
He said it was commendable that the President had listened
to the Kenyans ‘concerns and the reservations they had about the Indian company
and its owner’s reputation.
"Dear Mr President , you can see how Kenyans have put a sigh of relief . That is how simple it is to govern. Listening to Kenyans,” he said.
The legislator urged the President not to stop at Adani.
He asked the President to do away with any other questionable contract and scrap all other unpopular policies that have generated a lot of public outrage.
"While at it Relook at NSSF increased contributions. SHIF transparency ( Jayesh is another culprit you need to chase away with stones), they are in the same WhatsApp group with Adani Group. Housing Levy cancel it,” he said.
The legislator said the President should go further and rein in on the crisis in the education sector that has seen learning paralysed in public universities for weeks as lecturers strike over unfulfilled return-to-work formula.
"Don't promise what can not be done. Just say the government has no money, and Kenya will understand. Cancel the new university funding model. Rein into the education sector, it is collapsing. Pay attention to lecturers, teachers, and doctors,” he said.
During his speech, Ruto said he had fixed a lot in the education sector since coming into office, including saving universities from near collapse due to bankruptcy.
He said the new university funding model had also enable learners from vulnerable households to attain their dreams of acquiring higher education with more than 95 per cent government support through sponsorship.
Ruto said save for Moi University whose problems are emanate from internal governance issues, the education sector was now on a steady footing, including with the hiring of 56,000 teachers and 20,000 more in January 2025.
Amisi said whereas this initiatives are laudable, the President needs to crack the whip further and rein in on corrupt individuals in his administration and check government spending, one that Kenyans have described as lavish.
Amisi advised the President to bring on board technocrats to handle mandates that have proven insurmountable to political appointees, pointing out that "we have no spare nation”.
