Pressure mounts on Ruto to terminate Adani-linked healthcare project

DAP-Kenya leader Eugene Wamalwa has urged President William Ruto to cancel the Integrated Healthcare Information Technology System (IHTS) deal, citing the alleged involvement of the controversial Adani Group.

Wamalwa claimed the deal lacks transparency and accountability, warning against the conglomerate's continued role in Kenya's public projects.

He criticised both President Ruto and ODM leader Raila Odinga for supporting the Adani Group despite its questionable global reputation.

"We are going to fight the attempted return of the Finance Bill, 2024. Today we are telling Bwana Ruto, yes, you have dropped the Adani-JKIA deal, yes, you have dropped the Adani-KETRACO deal, but why have you not extended the same order to the health sector? Because tunajua Adani ako kwenye SHA. In fact, we need to call that thing AdaniSHA," he said.

Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka echoed Wamalwa's concerns, calling for the immediate termination of the IHTS contract.

"It is not enough to cancel the Adani Group deals in JKIA and KETRACO; Adani is also in SHA/SHIF. Ruto should also cancel this deal immediately," Kalonzo wrote on his X account.

He further announced plans to return to court on November 27, 2024, to push for greater accountability in the cancellation of Adani-related agreements.

President Ruto on Thursday during the State of the Nation address announced the cancellation of deals between the government and the Adani Group involving Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) and Kenya Electricity Transmission Company (KETRACO).

President William Ruto while delivering the State of the Nation address in Parliament on November 21, 2024. (PCS)

This followed the indictment of Adani Group chairman Gautam Adani in the United States over allegations of bribery and corruption.

However, the President has yet to address the involvement of Adani-linked Apeiro Limited in the Sh104 billion contract to implement Kenya's Universal Health Coverage (UHC) program.

The project, led by a consortium comprising Safaricom, Konvergenz Network Solutions, and Apeiro Limited, is intended to develop an Integrated Healthcare Technology System over the next decade.

Apeiro Limited, which holds a 59.55 per cent stake in the consortium, has been linked to Adani through its parent company Sirius International Holding, a subsidiary of International Holding Limited.

In his address on Thursday, President Ruto reassured Kenyans that the cancellation of Adani-related deals would not lead to cost implications for the government.

National Treasury and Economic Planning CS John Mbadi confirmed that the Directorate of Public-Private Partnerships is already examining the legal and financial aspects of withdrawing from the contracts.

"My team at the Directorate for Public-Private Partnerships will give me a brief after that meeting. As of now, I want to leave it generally because we are in the process of termination. My final brief will include if there is any possible cost implication, which I think in my view there shouldn't be," he said.

The government justified the decision to terminate Adani-related agreements by citing alleged corruption, bribery, and fictitious dealings by the conglomerate, which have been linked to its international projects.

The deals reportedly violated Kenya's Public-Private Partnerships Law and were met with widespread criticism from the public.