MPs say critics offer alternatives to Adani

President William Ruto’s decision to cancel billions of shillings Adani Group opportunities It stood out prominently during the debate after the State of the Nation address in the National Assembly yesterday, with legislators praising the decision.

However, National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah expressed concern that critics of the agreements did not offer alternatives.

He said most MPs support Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) and argued that if Adani fails, the government should look for other investors.

He told the House of Representatives that the country would not be able to make major investments in key sectors without the support of foreign investors.

Ichung’wah emphasized the need for significant investment in JKIA, power projects and the roads sector.

“We hope that those recommending these important deals to investors will offer alternatives, because Public-Private Partnerships are the way to build the nation and finance capital-intensive projects,” he said.

Minority Leader Junet Muhammad said the President’s decision was timely.

However, he added that canceling the project would not solve the problem. Current problems in JKIA“It’s no different from the matatu stage.”

Junet called on Kenyans who are critical of the Adani project to suggest alternative ideas for improving the airport.

He noted that PPPs were transforming economies globally and said Kenyans should consider their potential.

“Let’s offer those who are against Adani alternatives to improve our airport. Even the highway was built with a Public-Private Partnership. We cannot do politics at the expense of developing the country. Anyone who can pay to use the expressway will be happy to do so,” Junet said.

Alego Usonga MP Samuel Atandi said he disagreed with the President’s decision to cancel the Adani agreements, especially the agreement regarding KETRACO, which aims to provide electricity to areas that have been without electricity for many years.

Atandi argued that the President should allow the KETRACO contract to continue.

Tinderet MP Julius Melly praised the President for canceling the Adani deals and noted that the way the firm was acquired raised concerns.

He said it was commendable that the president listened to Kenyans and acted accordingly.

Ichung’wah emphasized that the President had called for the Conflict of Interest Bill to be expedited in his speech to Parliament.

He noted that the bill was passed by the National Assembly and forwarded to the Senate, which led to the establishment of a mediation committee, making amendments that were later objected to by the National Assembly.

He emphasized that since corruption issues often revolve around conflicts of interest and procurement processes, the digitalization of procurement systems by the National Treasury under the direction of the President should be prioritized.

“The shilling appreciated from Sh162 to Sh129 against the dollar in the last two years of President William Ruto’s term. The government is working to significantly reduce inflation and control the high cost of living,” Ichung’wah said.

Junet underlined the importance of transforming the health sector, noting that the rollout of the Social Health Insurance Fund may not have been carried out effectively because many Kenyans were unaware of how this fund worked. He called for a campaign to educate citizens about the fund.

added: Conflict of Interest Act It appeared designed to target MPs by ignoring Cabinet Secretaries and other political appointments, leading the Senate to propose several amendments.

Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Gladys Shollei, said in her speech that for the first time, the President gave importance to the issues of femicide and gender-based violence.

He appealed to Kenyans to protect and guide their children from people who want to harm them.