The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has welcomed the decision by President William Ruto to cancel Kenya's deals with Indian firm Adani Group.
In a statement on Thursday, November 21, LSK, however, demanded that the government make public all the costs and losses incurred in the whole process.
The society further called on the government to ensure strict adherence to internal statutory and procedural frameworks while handling matters like the onboarding of private partners.
"We welcome this presidential directive, which is in line with the will and best interests of the people of Kenya. While we prepared to prosecute both matters to a conclusion, we acknowledge that a concession on the part of the government regarding the overwhelming concerns around the two proposals is a more expeditious, reconciliatory, and people-driven approach toward resolving the protracted impasse between the people of Kenya and the government.
"We call upon the government to make public all costs and losses incurred and ensure that appropriate measures are undertaken to ensure minimisation of losses to the country. Nevertheless, we sound our unequivocal encouragement on the need to ensure strict adherence to our internal statutory and procedural frameworks," LSK President Faith Odhiambo remarked.
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At the same time, she called on government agencies to ensure adequate consideration of public views and concerns while undertaking their mandate.
During his State of the Nation Address on Thursday, President Ruto cancelled the procurement process by Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) with Adani on upgrading JKIA and also the already signed Ksh95 billion Adani-Kenya Electricity Transmission Company (KETRACO) deal on building and operating power transmission lines in the country.
The Head of State noted that the new orders were informed by new information regarding the integrity of the Indian company.
“I have stated in the past, and I reiterate today, that in the face of undisputed evidence or credible information on corruption, I will not hesitate to take decisive action.
"Accordingly, I now direct, in furtherance of the principles enshrined in Article 10 of the Constitution on transparency and accountability, and based on new information provided by our investigative agencies and partner nations, that the procuring agencies within the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum immediately cancel the ongoing procurement process for the JKIA Expansion Public Private Partnership transaction, as well as the recently concluded KETRACO transmission line Public Private Partnership contract," he stated.
Consequently, the president directed the relevant procurement offices to immediately seek alternative private entities interested in the two projects.
