Two lawsuits opposing the government’s deal with Adani in the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) take-over were adjourned on Monday.
This is after the parties who filed the cases were told 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.
Nonetheless, the previously issued orders halting the execution of the deal remain intact until the matter is determined to its finality.
Petitioners, among them Wiper Party Leader Kalonzo Musyoka, had moved to Milimani Law Courts seeking conservatory orders to stop the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) between the government and Adani.
The deal would see the Indian conglomerate take over Kenya’s biggest airport under a 30-year lease 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'.
“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” Kalonzo stated.
The wiper boss, however, clarified they have no problem with investors following the right protocols in their endeavours saying the country is open for business.
“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,” he asserted.
On his part, Wamalwa stressed the adjournment does not in any way affect the conservatory orders issued earlier.
“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 Adani is threatening to infiltrate all systems from the airport, the energy sector, and the health care system in deals shrouded in secrecy.
“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,” they vowed.
