Passaris however called for the government to appraise the public regarding the possible benefits that may be presented by the takeover.
Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris on Wednesday, September 11 defended the proposed deal by the government to lease the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi to Indian conglomerate, Adani Group…the very same government that she had been criticising in its early days.
Speaking to journalists at JKIA, Passaris however called for the government to appraise the public regarding the possible benefits that may be presented by the takeover.
“I think one of the biggest challenges we have in this country and anywhere in the world is that when you have a tender, and you want to get that, there are going to be many other persons who want that contract.
“The government should come clear, that’s why we have a government spokesman; break it down so that Kenyans understand everything,” Passaris said.
A building housing Adani Group. /ADANI ENTERPRISES
She termed the Adani proposal as a ‘game changer’ for airports in Kenya, giving an example of the value of infrastructure Adani constructed around the Ahmedabad airport, also called Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, which serves the twin cities of Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar in Gujarat, India.
“I have personally been to Ahmedabad (Airport) quite a number of times because that’s why my husband goes for medical attention, and the Ahmedabad airport has been done by the Adani Group.
“The first time I went to Ahmedabad four years ago, it was a very mediocre airport. Today, it is a five-star airport. I’ve been to estates within Ahmedabad built by the Adani Group,” she added.
According to Passaris, the Kenya Kwanza government was failing on part of coming clear on the terms of the deal and educating Kenyans on its benefits, largely blamed for the intense negativity towards the deal that has even riled up aviation workers.
She also faulted Kenyans for failing to educate themselves more on the benefits the deal would present to the country, accusing them of only hearing about the takeover to get a reaction.
“I feel sometimes that as government, we need to be able to sit and discuss; Kenyans need to understand what it is that the Adani Group are going to provide,” Passaris added.
Passaris was among thousands of passengers stranded at JKIA and other airports countrywide as multiple airlines issued advisories regarding widespread flight delays and disruptions. She was leaving the country for Johannesburg where she is expected to represent Kenya at a Pan African Parliament forum.
This came even as Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) workers downed their tools to protest the deal. The workers demanded the government furnish them with documents detailing the terms the Kenya Kwanza administration had agreed with the Indian company.
As the strikes persisted, the Kenyan government through the aviation regulator, Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) issued a notice of delayed flights to all pilots.
KAA in its statement watered down the strike, accusing the airport workers of staging the strike against court orders.
“Early this morning, a section of unionisable airport workers at JKIA engaged in a strike contrary to the Court Order CASE NUMBER: ELRCC/E648/2024,” the statement read in part.
“As of 7:00 am, minimal operations had resumed. In the meantime, we are engaging relevant parties to normalize operations. We apologize for any inconvenience caused and appreciate your patience and understanding during this time.”
Passengers stranded at JKIA and Moi International Airports in Mombasa as airport workers strike at Kisumu and Eldoret Airports. /VIRAL TEA KE