Leaked emails from Nick Wachira, CEO of Oxygène, reveal a deliberate strategy aimed at sanitizing the image of Indian conglomerate Adani in Kenya.
According to an expose by Nelson Amenya, the communications outline a public relations campaign to promote Adani’s interests in the country over the next three months.
This effort appears to be timed with the announcement of four new projects Adani has in Kenya, one of which involves the Mombasa port.
Wachira’s emails are reportedly part of a broader strategy to influence public perception, likely in response to mounting criticism of Adani’s business dealings in Kenya.
Adani’s growing presence in Kenya has been controversial.
The company’s proposed 30-year deal to manage Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) has met with widespread opposition, with Kenyans expressing concerns over the lack of transparency and the potential for the government to cede control of critical infrastructure.
Critics, including political figures, have voiced fears that such agreements could prioritize private profits at the expense of public interest.
These concerns have been compounded by reports that the deal was not subjected to sufficient public participation, a key tenet of democratic governance.
Adani is no stranger to controversy, even outside of Kenya.
Globally, the group has been criticized for its environmental impact, labor practices, and alleged financial mismanagement.
In Kenya, the company’s deals extend beyond JKIA, with further plans for energy infrastructure and ports.
Leaked documents have hinted at Adani’s involvement in the development of new electricity transmission lines and port operations, including the Port of Mombasa, underscoring the group’s far-reaching ambitions in the country.
The fallout from these leaked emails has also shed light on an apparent attempt to control media narratives around Adani.
According to sources, a journalist who had been slated to travel to India to document Adani’s operations was reportedly blocked by State House.
The said journalist, had planned to produce a critical documentary on the company.
The sudden cancellation of the project raises questions about governmental influence and possible attempts to stifle critical reporting on Adani’s operations in Kenya.
In light of these revelations, public pressure is mounting for the Kenyan government to ensure transparency and accountability in its dealings with Adani.
The conglomerate’s increasing foothold in Kenya’s infrastructure sector particularly its control over key assets like JKIA and the Mombasa port poses big questions about the long-term consequences for national sovereignty and economic independence. As Adani continues to expand its reach, the role of public oversight and media scrutiny becomes ever more critical.
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