Kenya’s President, William Ruto, has cancelled two big deals with Indian billionaire Gautam Adani. This decision came after Adani was accused of fraud by prosecutors in the United States.
In a speech on Thursday, President Ruto said the agreements were cancelled because of "new information from our investigators and partner nations."
The day before, US prosecutors accused Adani, the second-richest man in India, of fraud. They claimed he arranged a $250 million bribery scheme and hid it to get money from the US. Adani’s company, the Adani Group, denied the claims and called them "baseless."
President Ruto said, "If there is clear evidence or credible information about corruption, I will act decisively." His words were met with loud applause in parliament.
The Adani Group had planned to invest $1.85 billion in improving Kenya’s main airport. In return, they would manage the airport for 30 years. Another deal worth $736 million involved building power lines for the energy ministry.
The airport plan included a new runway and better passenger terminals at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. However, the deals were unpopular among Kenyans, and many suspected corruption.
In September, airport workers went on strike because they feared losing their jobs if the deal went ahead.
Energy Minister Opiyo Wandayi told parliament there was no bribery or corruption in the power line contract.
President Ruto has promised to fight corruption after many accusations against his government. He said Kenya would now look for new partners to work on the airport and energy projects.
In a speech on Thursday, President Ruto said the agreements were cancelled because of "new information from our investigators and partner nations."
The day before, US prosecutors accused Adani, the second-richest man in India, of fraud. They claimed he arranged a $250 million bribery scheme and hid it to get money from the US. Adani’s company, the Adani Group, denied the claims and called them "baseless."
President Ruto said, "If there is clear evidence or credible information about corruption, I will act decisively." His words were met with loud applause in parliament.
The Adani Group had planned to invest $1.85 billion in improving Kenya’s main airport. In return, they would manage the airport for 30 years. Another deal worth $736 million involved building power lines for the energy ministry.
The airport plan included a new runway and better passenger terminals at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. However, the deals were unpopular among Kenyans, and many suspected corruption.
In September, airport workers went on strike because they feared losing their jobs if the deal went ahead.
Energy Minister Opiyo Wandayi told parliament there was no bribery or corruption in the power line contract.
President Ruto has promised to fight corruption after many accusations against his government. He said Kenya would now look for new partners to work on the airport and energy projects.
