In a move that has reignited tensions within Kenya’s political elite, Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has publicly censured former Prime Minister Raila Odinga for expressing regret over the cancellation of the proposed Adani-JKIA airport concession deal. Musyoka criticized Odinga’s position, describing it as a betrayal of national interest and a threat to Kenya’s sovereignty.

Disappointment Turns to Shock

Speaking at an executive retreat on June 20, Raila Odinga stated that he was disappointed by the government’s decision to scrap the 30-year concession that would have allowed India’s Adani Group to take over the development and management of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA). Odinga claimed the partnership would have transformed Nairobi’s aviation landscape and enhanced investor confidence in Kenya’s infrastructure.

However, Kalonzo, responding via his official X account the following day, described Odinga’s comments as "shocking" and unpatriotic. He argued that such agreements risked placing critical infrastructure into the hands of foreign actors who face global legal scrutiny. "Our sovereignty is not for sale," Musyoka declared, firmly opposing any attempt to privatize national assets.

Strategic Infrastructure or Risky Gamble?

The shelved agreement involved leasing JKIA to the Adani Group for comprehensive redevelopment, operation, and long-term management. While Odinga praised the deal for its potential economic returns, critics—including civil society groups and political leaders like Kalonzo—viewed it as a veiled attempt to compromise national assets under the guise of Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs).

Musyoka’s statement highlighted growing concerns about the lack of transparency in such deals, particularly with companies entangled in legal controversies abroad. “This wasn’t just a business decision,” he emphasized. “It was a matter of national security and long-term control over critical infrastructure.”

Raila's Economic Justification Meets Resistance

Odinga maintained that the Adani partnership could have placed JKIA on the map of modern global airports, enhancing the country’s position in aviation, trade, and tourism. He lamented the political backlash that, in his view, derailed the project before it could take off. “Without such development, Nairobi risks stagnation,” he warned.

Yet, his explanation did little to quiet the backlash. Many leaders, including grassroots organizations, interpreted Raila’s remarks as tone-deaf to the public sentiment and existing economic disparities. Critics argue that foreign control of infrastructure, especially through opaque deals, could compromise national security and economic independence.

Public Trust Erodes Amid Growing Opposition

Adding to the political firestorm, the Motorist Association of Kenya released a statement condemning Raila’s remarks and urging a full retraction. The group accused him of undermining public trust and failing to recognize the broader implications of such international deals. “Every intelligent and patriotic Kenyan understands the danger posed by many of these PPP agreements,” the group asserted.

The association, like Kalonzo, warned that strategic infrastructure must remain in Kenyan hands, especially when foreign companies involved have a questionable legal standing. The controversy has highlighted a growing divide between leaders who seek quick foreign-backed solutions to development and those advocating for homegrown, transparent models of progress.

A Fractured Opposition and a Sovereignty Debate

Kalonzo’s rebuke underscores a larger rift within the opposition coalition and points to a mounting ideological clash on how best to drive Kenya’s development. As debates over infrastructure, foreign partnerships, and sovereignty grow more heated, the public’s demand for transparency and accountability appears louder than ever.

In the face of growing scrutiny, Raila Odinga now finds himself under pressure not just from his political rivals but from supporters and civil society voices who question the wisdom of endorsing deals that could compromise Kenya’s autonomy.