Whistleblower Claims Kenya In Talks With Dubai Firm Linked To Controversial Adani For JKIA Lease Deal

Nelson Amenya, the whistleblower who exposed the contentious 2024 deal between the Kenyan government and India’s Adani Group over Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), has reignited public debate with new allegations.

Amenya claims that the Kenyan government is negotiating to transfer control of JKIA, East Africa’s largest aviation hub, to a Dubai-based firm with possible connections to the Adani Group.

The 30-year-old activist, currently studying in France, further asserts that the deal would use Kenyan taxpayers as a sovereign guarantee, raising concerns about transparency and fiscal responsibility.

Amenya’s latest statements, suggest that the Kenyan government is engaging with an unnamed Middle Eastern company to lease JKIA.

He speculates that the Adani Group—previously involved in a now-canceled $1.85 billion airport deal—may be involved through a Dubai-based entity.

“The Kenyan government is planning to give the airport to some company in Dubai (being a tax haven, it could be Adani behind it) and will use the country’s balance sheet as a sovereign guarantee,” Amenya stated, questioning the legitimacy of the arrangement.

“If a company has the money and they believe the airport is a worthy investment, why would they need taxpayers to underwrite the deal?”

The timing of Amenya’s claims coincides with Kenya’s recent acquisition of a Ksh193 billion ($1.5 billion) loan from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) at an 8.2% interest rate, expected to be disbursed in February 2025.

This financial agreement has prompted speculation about potential connections to the alleged airport deal, particularly given Dubai’s status as a financial hub.
Social media has been abuzz with many suggesting that a “makeshift proxy company linked with Adani” in Dubai could be positioned to take over JKIA.

Amenya’s earlier exposé in July 2024 revealed negotiations between the Kenyan government and Adani Airport Holdings Limited for a 30-year lease of JKIA.

The proposed $2 billion deal, which included refurbishing terminals and building a new runway, was criticized for its lack of transparency and competitive bidding.

Documents leaked by Amenya showed that Adani sought an 18% equity stake in JKIA even after the lease period, control over airport fees, and tax exemptions, prompting widespread public concern.

The deal was halted by the High Court in September 2024 and officially canceled by President William Ruto in November 2024, following a U.S. federal indictment of Adani Group directors for alleged bribery.

The whistleblower’s actions have earned him both acclaim and challenges.

Praised by many Kenyans—some on social media even proposed renaming JKIA “Nelson Amenya International Airport”—he has faced significant personal risks.

Amenya, who has been studying in France since the initial exposé, claims to have received threats and states that the Directorate of Criminal Investigations has made accusations about his carbon credit firm.

“If you are in Kenya, you will be targeted by the police, by mercenaries, you might even lose your life,” he told AFP in October 2024.

The Kenyan government has not yet responded directly to Amenya’s latest allegations.

In 2024, officials, including government spokesperson Isaac Mwaura, maintained that JKIA was not for sale and that Adani’s proposal was under review with safeguards to protect national interests.

However, the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) faced criticism for reportedly approving Adani’s initial proposal quickly, with questions raised about adherence to Kenya’s Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Act requirements for an open tender process.

Critics argue that JKIA, which reportedly generates revenue equivalent to 5% of Kenya’s GDP, is too strategically important to be leased under unclear terms.

While the 2024 deal’s cancellation was viewed by many as a victory for public advocacy, Amenya’s new claims suggest ongoing concerns about transparency.