In a dramatic escalation of the growing controversy over Kenya’s Adani Group agreements, Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has launched a scathing rebuke at Azimio chief Raila Odinga—accusing him of abandoning patriotism by backing what Musyoka calls an “opaque, national asset giveaway”.
Speaking at a church event in Kajiado this week, Musyoka tore into the $1.3 billion concession that awards control of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and power transmission to India’s Adani. “The secrecy of this deal reeks of dishonesty,” he declared, pledging to drag the government to court on Monday to challenge the concession’s legality.
On stage in Kajiado, Kalonzo did not mince words. “We will not allow our country to be auctioned,” he thundered. “We shall fight in Parliament, we shall fight in court, we shall fight on the streets.”
With mounting fears of “state capture”, Musyoka warned that the pattern mirrors past corruption scandals, including the infamous Gupta case in South Africa: “Kenya is at risk of being ‘Guptafied’ by Adani,” he said, condemning non‑competitive, behind‑closed‑doors negotiations that he insists strip Kenya of sovereignty.
The stakes could not be higher. Raila Odinga has defended the deal, citing Adani’s track record in developing infrastructure in India. But Musyoka argues that this explanation is a facade aimed at betraying public trust, particularly as Rashid’s impeachment proceedings divert attention away from the controversial agreements.
Accompanied by Wiper and allied opposition leaders—including DAP-K’s Eugene Wamalwa and Jubilee’s Jeremiah Kioni—Musyoka vowed multi‑front resistance:
- Court petition to block the JKIA and energy PPPs
- Parliamentary fight challenging procedural irregularities
- Street protests mobilising public outrage
He also demanded transparency across all Adani-related sectors—including expansion of SHA/SHIF health plans—calling for a return to public oversight via NHIF.
His attack on Raila has already provoked rebukes from government allies; Interior Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi dismissed Wiper’s stance, stating that Raila had “chosen to work with President Ruto” and telling Kalonzo to “leave us alone”.
Why this matters:
The Adani PPPs represent some of the country’s largest infrastructure ventures in recent memory—and any successful legal challenge could unravel these agreements and stall critical national projects.
Yet Musyoka’s actions signal broader public anxiety: skepticism over rushed deals, fear of losing control over vital assets, and anger at perceived political betrayal from leaders once seen as guardians of national interest.
With a showdown looming on multiple fronts—courtroom, parliamentary, and grassroots—the next week promises to be pivotal. Will Kenya stand firm against what Kalonzo calls “foreign capture,” or will its leaders’ unity triumph?
