Kenya’s Cancellation of Adani Deals Sparks Indian Political Outcry

The Indian National Congress Party has strongly criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration following President William Ruto’s decision to cancel two major deals with the Adani Group, worth Ksh338 billion, over allegations of corruption.

In a statement issued on Thursday, November 21, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh condemned Modi’s long-standing relationship with the Adani Group, calling it a potential threat to India’s foreign policy and economic interests. He emphasized that India’s global strategies should not be dictated by the interests of a single business conglomerate like Adani, warning that such ties could damage India’s diplomatic standing.

Ramesh referred to the cancellation of the deals, including the expansion of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) and a power transmission project, as a “foreign policy disaster” that could harm India’s reputation for years. He also criticized the close association between Modi and Adani, which has drawn international attention due to ongoing corruption allegations.

On the same day, President Ruto ordered the cancellation of the ongoing procurement processes for both the JKIA expansion and the KETRACO transmission line projects, citing credible evidence of graft. Speaking during a State of the Nation address in Parliament, Ruto affirmed that his decision was based on findings from Kenya’s investigative agencies and international partners.

In March, the Adani Group had proposed taking over the management of JKIA, with plans to invest Ksh238 billion in upgrading the airport. However, the proposal faced significant backlash due to its high cost and concerns over job losses. Despite initial approval, the deal was ultimately scrapped in the wake of the corruption allegations.