Nairobi — The Kenyan government has been handed a final deadline to show proof that it has cancelled a controversial energy deal with India’s Adani Group. This comes months after President William Ruto publicly ordered the termination of the agreement.
On Tuesday, High Court Judge Bahati Mwamuye gave the state until 1 August to file evidence of the cancellation of the Kenya Electricity Transmission Company (KETRACO) contract.
So far, no documentation has been submitted to the court.
“The respondents, particularly the first respondent, are granted a final opportunity to file and serve their responses to the application and petition,” Justice Mwamuye said. He added that failure to meet the deadline would push the case straight to a full hearing.
The matter will return to court on 27 October, when the judge will also give directions on whether more parties should be added to the case.
A Deal Under Fire
The case traces back to November 2024, when President Ruto directed the Ministries of Energy and Transport to cancel deals involving the Adani Group—one of which included work at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) and another at KETRACO.
His decision followed public backlash and concerns raised by the Law Society of Kenya (LSK). The LSK took the issue to court, saying the deal was rushed and lacked proper public input.
“There was no transparency. Kenyans were kept in the dark about this deal,” said LSK President Faith Odhiambo in a past press briefing. She argued that the agreement failed to meet constitutional standards on openness, accountability, and the responsible use of public money.
The court later issued a temporary order stopping the deal’s implementation, pending the outcome of the petition.
What’s at Stake?
The KETRACO deal involved the development of energy infrastructure, but critics warned it could tie Kenya into an expensive long-term contract with little local oversight.
The Adani Group, based in India, has faced similar pushback in other countries over its global infrastructure and energy projects. In Kenya, opposition leaders and civil society groups have demanded full disclosure of the terms.
“We’re not saying Kenya doesn’t need investment,” said rights activist Kwame Onyari, “but deals must be clean, above board, and in the public interest.”
The Bigger Picture
This case is one of several that have tested President Ruto’s promises of clean governance and accountability. While his administration acted swiftly in ordering the cancellation, the court now wants hard proof to back those statements.
Legal experts say the next few weeks will be crucial.
“If the state fails to respond, it won’t just be a legal setback—it could damage trust in how public contracts are handled,” said constitutional lawyer Mercy Gichuru.
As the court waits, Kenyans are watching closely. For now, questions linger—and the paperwork is still missing.
