In effect, the first case was pushed to November 27 while the other one lodged by the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) will be heard on November 17.
The case which was challenging the government’s deal with Adani in the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) take-over failed to take off on Monday, November 11.
As revealed by Wiper Party leader, Kalonzo Musyoka, in a statement, the case was moved to November 27, 2024. This is after the parties who filed the cases were informed that the judge hearing the matter was away.
In effect, the first case was pushed to November 27 while the other one lodged by the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) will be heard on November 17.
Still, the previously issued orders halting the execution of the deal remain intact until the matter is determined to its finality.
Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka speaking at the Milimani Law Courts on November 11, 2024. /KALONZO MUSYOKA
Kalonzo maintained the petitioners were keen on halting the government from signing the deal with the Indian company.
“This Matter against the Adani Group takeover of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) is of critical importance. We are dealing with critical infrastructure that touches on the national security and the well-being of the nation-state called Kenya,” he stated on X.
“We have said this before: that we have no problem with investors coming into the country. However, the way this Adani deal has been crafted has all the trappings of what one would call state capture. Look at Adani in JKIA. Adani in SHA/SHIF. Adani in KETRACO. All these deals are clouded in secrecy.”
Petitioners who included Kalonzo had moved to Milimani Law Courts seeking conservatory orders to stop the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) between the government and Adani.
The proposed deal would see the Indian conglomerate take over JKIA for close to 30 years under unclear agreements.
Speaking to the press after the adjournment, Kalonzo and Democratic Action Party-Kenya (DAP-K) party leader Eugene Wamalwa asked the government to drop the deal. The two politicians are representing Aviation workers in the case and have vowed to fight to stop the JKIA takeover by Adani Airports Holding company terming it ‘state capture’.
Wamalwa on his part maintained that the conservatory orders blocking the government from implementing the deal remain in place despite the case being pushed.
“The adjournment of this case with LSK’s case does not mean that conservatory orders are no longer there. The conservatory orders given in the LSK case means Adani will not do anything until the case is heard and determined,” he said.
The two politicians claimed that Adani is threatening to infiltrate all systems from the airport, the energy sector and the health care system in deals shrouded in secrecy, stating that “We are determined to fight over this matter not just for the benefit of the present generation but for the future generations of this country. We cannot auction the nation.”
Kalonzo Musyoka speaking during a press briefing on July 19, 2024. /KALONZO MUSYOKA