Stop the Adani deal, KENYANS ARE ANGRY! Senate Committee warns CS Chirchir, President Ruto

Summary

The script is a transcript of a heated parliamentary discussion regarding a proposed deal for the development of JKIA (Jomo Kenyatta International Airport) in Kenya. The speakers express deep skepticism and distrust towards the government's intentions, citing a lack of transparency and potential conflicts of interest. They urge the Cabinet Secretary (CS) to abandon the deal, advocating for a more open and public procurement process. The dialogue highlights concerns about the credibility of the government and the need for integrity in public-private partnerships.

Takeaways

• 😟 The government is facing a credibility problem rather than a communication issue, leading to a lack of public trust.
• 🤔 There's skepticism about the transparency and fairness of the deal being discussed, with a perceived lack of genuine stakeholder engagement.
• 🏛️ The stakeholders in JKIA are identified as all 55 million Kenyans, not just a select few in government or private meetings.
• 📜 There's a call for immediate disclosure of any privately initiated proposals within 48 hours to maintain integrity.
• 🚫 Serious integrity concerns are raised about the company involved in the deal and the government's role in it.
• 📉 The finance bill controversy is brought up as a parallel to the current deal, indicating a pattern of public dissatisfaction.
• 🛑 A strong recommendation is made to abandon the current deal and revert to an open, transparent international expression of interest for the development of JKIA.
• 💰 The capability of Kenya to fund the proposed investments is questioned, suggesting that the country can raise the necessary funds without the current deal.
• 👎 The sentiment that the deal 'stinks' and is not in the best interest of Kenyans is expressed, with a plea to abandon it for the sake of the country's future.
• 📈 A suggestion is made to reevaluate the country's needs and priorities, potentially starting with more basic infrastructure like a runway rather than a complete airport upgrade.

Q & A

What is the main issue raised by the speaker regarding the government?

The main issue raised is a credibility problem where the government lacks public trust, and there is a need to restore credibility and public trust.

Why does the speaker believe there is a trust deficit?

The trust deficit is attributed to competing interests within the government and a lack of transparency, leading to Kenyans being suspicious of government deals.

What does the speaker suggest about the stakeholders in JKIA?

The speaker emphasizes that the stakeholders in JKIA are the 55 million Kenyans, not just a select few, and that any decisions should involve or represent the interests of all Kenyans.

What recommendation does the speaker make regarding private proposals to the government?

The speaker recommends amending the law on PPP to require disclosure of private proposals within 48 hours to maintain transparency and integrity.

What is the speaker's stance on the proposed deal involving Adani?

The speaker strongly opposes the Adani deal, urging the CS to abandon it due to serious integrity concerns and a lack of public support.

Why does the speaker compare the objections to the Adani deal with the Finance Bill?

The speaker compares the objections to highlight the level of public discontent and the need for the government to reconsider its approach to such deals.

What alternative does the speaker propose for the development of JKIA?

The speaker suggests an international expression of interest and an open, transparent public procurement process for the development and upgrade of JKIA.

What message does the speaker convey from the people of Nairobi?

The people of Nairobi, as conveyed by the speaker, are against the deal and want it to be canceled.

How does the speaker feel about the incentives given to people in government?

The speaker is critical of the incentives, suggesting they lead to corruption and personal gain at the expense of the public interest.

What does the speaker imply about the wealth of government officials?

The speaker implies that the increase in wealth of some government officials is due to the incentives and opportunities for personal gain within the government.

What is the speaker's final request regarding the deal?

The speaker requests that the deal be abandoned and that the government should reconsider its approach, focusing on gradual and transparent development.