Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir has defended the Indian Adani Group amid its controversial bid to take over Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).
Unlike several of his cabinet colleagues who have avoided recent parliamentary summons, Chirchir appeared before the National Assembly on Wednesday to respond to questions regarding his ministry.
Chirchir assured legislators that the government had conducted thorough due diligence on Adani Group, despite the High Court temporarily barring the company from assuming control of JKIA. He emphasized that Adani Group had no involvement in corruption, that its directors have clean criminal records, and that the company is fully tax compliant.
“Adani has not been banned by any country, has no corruption history based on our due diligence, is solvent, and complies with tax regulations in all the jurisdictions where it operates. Its directors have not faced criminal convictions related to professional conduct in the last five years, nor have they been disqualified due to any administrative suspension or debarment proceedings,” Chirchir told Parliament.
On the issue of stalled road construction projects, Chirchir revealed that the government owes contractors over Sh170 billion. He announced that a new road maintenance tax would be introduced to clear these outstanding bills and facilitate project completion.
“We’ve received support from this House for the additional seven-shilling road maintenance levy. With this, we aim to raise Sh175 billion to ensure contractors return to work,” Chirchir said.
The National Assembly recently approved an increase in the road maintenance levy from Sh18 to Sh25 per litre for petrol and diesel, a move that has sparked debate amid the current economic challenges.
