Whistleblower fears for life after exposing Adani's Kenyan airport deal
What's the story
Nelson Amenya, the whistleblower who spilled the beans on confidential talks about a possible takeover of Kenya's Jomo Kenyatta International Airport by Adani Group, is now worried about his safety. Back in July, Amenya went public with documents revealing that the Adani Group was in talks for a 30-year lease of Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta airport. The proposed deal included a whopping $1.85 billion investment from the Indian conglomerate.
Deal details
Adani's proposed deal sparks controversy and investigation
The Adani Group's proposed deal, led by India's richest man Gautam Adani, has stirred up quite a controversy, thanks to its terms and the lack of transparency. Amenya pointed out that "Adani wanted to keep 18% equity in the airport even after the 30-year lease." His revelations triggered a strike by airport staff and kicked off a parliamentary probe into the whole affair.
Swift approval
Kenyan Aviation Authority's swift approval surprises FM
Finance Minister John Mbadi was taken aback by how quickly the Kenyan Aviation Authority (KAA) gave a thumbs-up to Adani's proposal back in March. The KAA hasn't said much about the secrecy surrounding the deal but did assure that it would go through "technical, financial and legal reviews alongside requisite due processes." After Amenya's revelations, he claims he's been targeted by various entities.
Accusations and threats
Amenya faces accusations and threats post-revelations
After his big reveal, Amenya's company got slapped with accusations from Kenya's Directorate of Criminal Investigations for allegedly peddling fake cryptocurrency. He shot back, saying, "We don't sell crypto, we don't transact on our website at all." Even though he's currently in France, he's received a gag order via his French lawyers, along with some serious warnings about his safety.
Protection call
Transparency International calls for protection of whistleblowers
Sheila Masinde, who leads Transparency International's Kenya branch, revealed that whistleblowers in the country often face harassment, including physical torture, abduction, and legal threats. She stressed the importance of providing Amenya with both physical and legal protection, saying, "Nelson needs to be given physical and legal protection. He's doing this for the public interest."