In recent court proceedings, it was revealed that Adani Group developed an interest in revitalizing the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport due to reports of its declining state. The High Court intervened by halting the government’s 30-year lease plan to Adani Airport Holdings, a subsidiary of the Indian corporation.
Adani Group cited media coverage between 2018 and 2023 that highlighted the deteriorating condition of JKIA, once esteemed as one of Africa’s premier airports. The company also noted worker protests in 2019 and 2020 over poor conditions and remuneration at the airport.
The proposal by Adani Group to enhance JKIA through constructing a new terminal and taxiways was presented as a means to boost the airport’s status in Africa and provide job opportunities for local residents. Despite this, the $1.85 billion expansion project faced significant opposition from Kenyan groups concerned about transparency and the foreign firm’s long-term control over the airport.
The Kenya Human Rights Commission and the Law Society of Kenya, in opposition to the deal, argued that local funding could support the project without involving a foreign entity for such an extended period. They raised concerns about job losses, fiscal risks, and lack of value for taxpayers.
A strike by aviation workers on September 11 further highlighted the discontent, leading to flight disruptions for six hours. The workers feared potential layoffs and the hiring of foreign employees under Adani Group’s management.