When Raila Odinga chastised Kenyans who opposed the Adani-JKIA deal at an ODM Parliamentary meeting, saying “shame on them,” it sparked debate among citizens and pundits alike. Many are asking: did Kenya truly lose out, or was the backlash valid? Tuko.co.ke – Kenya news.
Supporters of Raila point out that the deal would have brought in billions in investment, modernized key infrastructure, and increased Kenya’s competitiveness in East Africa. The project included management of JKIA and KETRACO under a 30-year concession, and was seen as a bold step toward PPP-driven development. Tuko.co.ke – Kenya news.+1
Critics, however, raise concerns about transparency, sovereignty, cost burden, and whether foreign firms gain too much control over critical infrastructure. They argue that opposition to the deal was not simply “noise,” but stems from legitimate fears over how contracts are awarded, how profit margins are set, and how risk is managed.
Raila Odinga insists that some detractors were financially motivated to scuttle the deal, claiming they were paid to raise false alarms. He warned that Nairobi’s hub potential is slipping away—other cities like Kigali are capturing similar opportunities. “Shame on them,” he told those he accused. Tuko.co.ke – Kenya news.
The incident leaves Kenya at a crossroads: either reconsider how infrastructure investments are debated and executed, or risk watching opportunities pass by amid partisan opposition.
