Kenyan court halts controversial Adani Group airport lease deal

Kenya’s High Court has temporarily blocked a proposed 30-year lease deal that would have given India’s Adani Group control over the country’s main airport. The Law Society of Kenya and the Kenya Human Rights Commission jointly filed an application arguing that the country could independently fund the $1.85 billion airport upgrade.

The petitioners claim the lease of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport is unaffordable, poses a fiscal risk, and doesn’t offer value for money to taxpayers. They also raised concerns about potential job losses. The court has issued a stay, prohibiting any action on the Adani proposal pending the conclusion of the case.

This development follows protests from the Kenya Aviation Workers Union, who feared job losses and an influx of non-Kenyan workers. The government maintains that while the airport needs modernization due to overcapacity, no final decision has been made on the proposed public-private partnership.

The case highlights the tension between the need for infrastructure development and concerns over foreign control of strategic assets. As the legal process unfolds, the future of East Africa’s largest aviation hub remains uncertain.
The court’s decision reflects growing scrutiny of large-scale foreign investments in critical infrastructure across Africa. It also underscores the importance of transparency and public participation in major economic decisions that could have long-lasting impacts on national interests.