‘We Could End Up With No Electricity Like South Africa’ – Shollei Advocates for PPPs After Adani Deal Cancellation.

Gladys Boss Shollei, National Assembly Deputy Speaker and Uasin Gishu Woman Representative, has emphasized the necessity for Kenya to continue pursuing Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), even after President William Ruto’s recent cancellation of the controversial Adani deals.

In an interview on Monday morning, November 25, 2024, Shollei highlighted Kenya’s limited financial capacity to fund large-scale infrastructure projects, arguing that PPPs remain the most viable option moving forward.

“Going forward, we still have no choice but to pursue PPPs. That’s my personal opinion,” she stated.

Reflecting on the lessons learned from the Adani deal cancellation, Shollei stressed the need for thorough vetting of future PPPs and greater public participation in decision-making. She suggested that these partnerships should be more transparent and inclusive, advocating for a clear process where the public is informed and involved.

“I think we’ve learned important lessons from the Adani deal. It’s crucial to make these processes public, perhaps by advertising for expressions of interest from all potential partners, and ensuring there’s public participation to explain why we need to fund certain projects,” she explained.

Shollei also highlighted the urgency of addressing Kenya’s ageing transmission infrastructure, warning that failure to act could lead the country to face severe power outages like those experienced in South Africa.

“Explaining to Kenyans that our transmission lines are reaching the end of their lifespan is crucial. If we don’t address this soon, we could end up with no electricity, just like South Africa,” she warned.

She called for a transparent process to encourage broad participation, emphasizing the importance of public trust and effective communication throughout the application process.

“It’s essential to publicize the process, make it open for all companies to apply, and ensure that the public is sensitized about it. That’s the way forward,” Shollei added.

Adani Deal Cancellation

The Adani Energy Solutions deal had been a major focus, as the company had entered into an agreement with Kenya Electricity Transmission Company Limited (KETRACO) to develop, finance, construct, and operate critical transmission lines and substations across the country. However, this agreement was annulled by President Ruto.

In his State of the Nation address on November 21, 2024, Ruto announced the cancellation of both the Adani KETRACO deal and the planned leasing of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) to the Indian conglomerate. He explained that his decision was based on credible information from investigative agencies and international partners, aligning with Kenya’s constitutional principles of transparency and accountability.

“I have stated before, and I reiterate today, that if there’s credible evidence of corruption, I will take decisive action,” Ruto declared.

The President directed the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum to cancel the ongoing procurement processes for the JKIA and KETRACO PPP deals. His announcement was met with a standing ovation from lawmakers who supported the decision.

Ruto’s stance was clear: his administration will not tolerate corruption in public projects, and the cancellation of these deals marks a strong stance against any such practices.

Article By Suzy Nyongesa.