Published on: November 22, 2024 07:55 (EAT)
Kenya's President William Ruto speaks during a meeting on the sidelines of the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly at the Lotte Palace Hotel in New York on September 26, 2024. (Photo by AFP)
The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) now wants the government to make public all the costs and losses incurred from the controversial Adani deals that President William Ruto canceled following public outrage.
In a statement issued on Thursday, LSK President Faith Odhiambo welcomed the move by the President to cancel the proposed Public Private Partnerships between the Adani Group and the Kenya Airports Authority and KETRACO, noting that the termination of the contracts was in the best public interest.
“We equally appreciate the President’s reevaluation of the Government stance on these agreements, and note that it is a positive step towards constitutionally conforming governance."
“Further, we call upon the government to make public all the costs and losses incurred and ensure that appropriate measures are undertaken to ensure minimization of losses to the country,” reads the statement.
The LSK underscored the need to ensure strict adherence to the Constitution saying the recognition of the issues surrounding the Adani deals was long overdue.
"It would be inimical to the Government’s duty to act in the best interests of the public if the overdue recognition of the issues surrounding the Adani deals came after the same had been implemented," LSK said.
Odhiambo noted that LSK was prepared to fight the matter to court, stating, "While we were prepared to prosecute both matters to 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 towards resolving the protracted impasse between the people of Kenya and their Government."
Odhiambo also urged the State to consider the views of Kenyans on issues affecting them.
"We equally encourage the members of the Public to remain vigilant in protecting the sovereignty of the Kenyan people and adherence to the national values and principles of Governance under Article 10 of the Constitution," reads part of the statement.
In his address on the State of the Nation in Parliament, President Ruto said he had resolved to cancel the deals "based on new information provided by our investigative agencies and partner nations."
The decision, however, came after Gautam Adani, chair of Indian conglomerate Adani Group, with allegedly paying Ksh.30 billion in bribes to the Indian government to obtain solar energy supply contracts in the United States.
Adani had proposed a Ksh.260 billion deal to renovate the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) for a 30-year period and provide Ksh.95 billion to develop the country's transmission lines, all under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) model.
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