The political situation in Kenya was rocked by explosive allegations from Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka, who accused Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen of involvement in a controversial deal with the Adani Group.
The deal, which aimed to lease Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) to the Indian conglomerate, has been shrouded in secrecy and allegations of corruption.
Senator Onyonka did not hold back, revealing that Murkomen had allegedly accepted bribes to fast-track the deal, which has since faced public backlash.
The scandal came to light after whistleblower Nelson Amenya leaked documents detailing the Adani Group’s proposal to take over JKIA and 14 other airstrips in Kenya for a staggering Ksh 250 billion.
Amenya, who has since fled to France for safety, claimed that the deal was rushed and lacked transparency. He specifically pointed fingers at Murkomen, alleging that the CS had single-handedly pushed for the deal without proper due process or competitive bidding.
Amenya also revealed that a Chinese firm had been awarded a Ksh 1 billion tender to repair JKIA’s leaking roofs in 2020, but the work was never completed despite the payment.
This mismanagement, according to Amenya, has left JKIA in a dire state, necessitating an urgent upgrade.
Senator Onyonka further accused Murkomen of attempting to silence Amenya by using state machinery to intimidate him. The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) had reportedly sent a letter to Amenya, demanding documents related to his company, Afrinet Carbon Limited. Onyonka condemned this move as a witch hunt, aimed at stifling dissent and preventing the public from learning the truth about the Adani deal.
He emphasized that the information requested by the DCI could easily be obtained from the Business Registration Service, making the demand appear politically motivated.The senator also highlighted the broader implications of the deal, suggesting that Adani Group was not only interested in JKIA but also in taking over key Kenyan institutions, including the Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) and the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF).
Onyonka challenged Murkomen to come clean and provide all necessary documents to the Senate, but the CS failed to do so, citing ongoing court cases as an excuse.
This further fueled suspicions that the government was hiding critical details from the public.The allegations against Murkomen have severely tarnished his reputation, painting him as a key player in a corrupt and opaque deal that prioritizes private interests over public welfare.
The public outcry and political pressure have made it impossible for the Adani deal to proceed. However, the damage to Murkomen’s credibility may be irreversible, as Kenyans demand accountability and transparency from their leaders.
The rot serves as a reminder of the need for vigilance in safeguarding public assets and ensuring that those in power are held to the highest standards of integrity.
