Kenya backtracks on airport procurement deal with India’s Adani

Kenya has backpedaled on a $2 billion deal under which it was expected to hand over Nairobi’s airport to India’s Adani Group.

The deal was canceled after India’s richest man, Adani, was indicted in the US for fraud for allegedly orchestrating a $250m bribery scheme and concealing it to raise money in the US.

“I have directed agencies within the ministry of transport and within the ministry of energy and petroleum to immediately cancel the ongoing procurement,” Kenya’s president Ruto said in a speech

“In the face of undisputed evidence or credible information on corruption, I will not hesitate to take decisive action,” he said.

Adani was planning to upgrade Kenya’s main airport, although the deal triggered strikes and a popular backlash.