Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has for the first time disclosed
that he was disappointed when the Adani deal to expand and manage the Jomo
Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) collapsed.
Speaking on the second day of the National Executive Retreat
in Karen, Nairobi, Raila said should it have proceeded, it would have elevated
Nairobi into a regional economic hub.
“I was very disappointed when we were not able to move on
with the airport contract that was very unfortunate,” he said.
Raila narrated that the first expansion contract for JKIA
was awarded while he served as Prime Minister, but was later on cancelled after
the grand coalition government left office.
He said the same company was again awarded the contract and
then terminated it following disagreements.
The ODM who had joined senior state officials for the
retreat said Adani deal was politicized leading to its cancellation.
He cautioned that if nothing is done, JKIA will remain
dormant while other countries that are expanding will grow into regional hubs.
“We had awarded the Greenfield airport contract before we
left government with Mwai Kibaki in 2012. That contract was cancelled, then it
was given to the same contractor but then again cancelled because of
disagreements. When we got to Adani they brought politics and the contract was
cancelled.
“If that is not done Nairobi will just become dormant. Look
at Addis Abba, they are going and now putting up a new big airport and it’s
going to be the hub around,” Raila said.
The Sh637 billion Adani deal would see the Indian
conglomerate running both Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and Ketraco for
30 years.
JKIA expansion would have cost at least Sh238 billion. Ruto
ordered the cancellation.
Raila said if the airport construction is done, it has the
potential to become Africa’s top airline.
“Look at Emirates, people there do not look at the airline
for profits, it is basically a vehicle bringing investors, shoppers and
tourists to the emirates.
“KQ can be making losses, as long as it’s bringing people to
our country. Put up a big airport in Nairobi, if we don’t do it, Rwanda is
going to do it and Kigali can be the hub around here.”