Nelson Amenya, a whistleblower who brought attention to the Kenyan government’s secretive plan to lease Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) to India’s Adani Airport Holdings Limited, claims his life is now in danger after revealing details about the deal.
Around two months ago, Amenya began sharing confidential documents outlining the terms of the proposed agreement between the government and Adani Group. His revelations sparked widespread public outcry, with many Kenyans questioning the secrecy surrounding the deal and expressing opposition to the lease.
Although the government has assured the public that the deal is not yet finalized, the lack of transparency has fueled skepticism. Many citizens are demanding more clarity on the process, fearing that national interests may not be adequately protected.
In an interview with KTN, Amenya said that he has received multiple threats since exposing the deal, both from Indian bloggers and unidentified individuals in Kenya. He also mentioned that officials from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have contacted him, warning that he could face charges related to his actions.
“I don’t feel safe anymore,” Amenya stated. “Since I revealed this information, I’ve been threatened by people from both India and Kenya. The DCI is trying to intimidate us with fabricated charges.”
Amenya, who is currently pursuing a Master’s in Business Administration at HEC Paris in France, shared more details about the controversial terms of the lease. According to him, the deal would give Adani exclusive control of JKIA, with the airport being used as collateral for loans. If the government fails to protect Adani’s interests, the company would have the right to terminate the agreement.
One of the most alarming terms, Amenya said, is that Adani asked for the title deed of the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) to be transferred to their name. They justified this request by stating they would use the title as security for taking out loans.
Another condition of the deal is that after two years, the terms of employment for airport workers would be renegotiated.
A key issue raised by Amenya is the financial structure of the deal. He pointed out that the revenue generated through Special Purpose Bonds (SPBs) in Kenya would first be routed through Abu Dhabi before reaching Adani in India. This raised concerns about the transparency of the financial transactions.
“Why can’t the funds go directly from Kenya to India?” Amenya asked. “Why must they go through Abu Dhabi? The UAE is known as a tax haven, and SPBs are often used to launder money.”
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