Raila, speaking in Mombasa on Sunday, October 13, praised the Indian conglomerate for its credibility and experience in large-scale projects.
He highlighted his firsthand experience with the group during a trip to Gujarat, India, where he witnessed the transformation of a swamp into a thriving port, power plant, and industrial hub.
According to Raila, Adani is a reputable company with a proven track record in infrastructure development, and he expressed confidence in their ability to manage the operations of JKIA.
He mentioned that Adani had been interested in Kenya for many years, dating back to 2010, when they first expressed interest in working in the region.
However, Raila’s remarks have been met with criticism from a section of the Kenyan public, many of whom feel betrayed by his support for the deal.
Several Kenyans who had previously voted for Raila expressed disappointment, stating that they had expected him to stand with them in opposing the deal.
Some pointed out that Raila's defense of Adani was a stark contrast to the position held by many in his Azimio coalition, which has been vocal in opposing the leasing of JKIA to the foreign firm.
Social media users voiced their frustrations, with some claiming that Raila’s support for the Adani Group was unexpected and undermined their trust in him.
One commenter, Nelson Amenya, pointed out that Adani had not been operating airports in India during Raila’s tenure as Prime Minister, questioning the timing of his defense of the company.
Others expressed regret over voting for Raila in past elections, with some even suggesting they would recall their votes if given a chance.
In the midst of this controversy, other Azimio leaders, including Wiper Party Leader Kalonzo Musyoka, have joined legal efforts to block Adani's acquisition of JKIA.
The Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) and the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) have already filed a petition in court challenging the deal, with the High Court granting a temporary order halting the process.
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