Wed Sep 25 04:10:41 UTC 2024: ## Kenya Parliament Calls for Audit of Adani JKIA Deal Amidst Concerns

**Nairobi, Kenya** – The Kenyan Parliament’s Public Investments Committee has called for a forensic audit into the proposed upgrade of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) by Indian conglomerate Adani Holdings. This decision comes amid mounting concerns over the deal’s transparency and financial implications.

The committee, chaired by Pokot South MP David Pkosing, has demanded the Auditor General investigate how the deal was awarded to Adani and scrutinize the proposed Sh230 billion cost of the project. The audit is expected to be completed by the end of October.

The committee’s concerns center around the lack of clarity surrounding the deal’s financial aspects, including the cost of building a new terminal and a second runway, and whether the proposed Privately Initiated Proposal (PIP) represents the best option for taxpayers. The committee also wants the audit to determine the impact on Kenya Airways and the current JKIA staff.

Meanwhile, the Kenyan Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi has outlined tough financial conditions for Adani, including a review of the requested 30-year tax exemption and a reduction in the revenue share from 18% to 16%. Mbadi emphasized that the deal remains at a preliminary stage and that the government is open to considering alternative proposals.

The Adani deal has faced significant scrutiny from both the public and political circles, with concerns raised about the opaque nature of the negotiations and the potential impact on national sovereignty. The High Court has issued an order prohibiting the lease of JKIA to Adani pending further legal proceedings.

The committee’s decision to order a forensic audit signals a growing distrust of the deal and highlights the need for greater transparency and accountability. The audit findings are expected to play a crucial role in determining the future of the Adani-JKIA project.

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