Kenya’s High Court has temporarily halted a proposed deal for India’s Adani Group to lease Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) for 30 years in exchange for upgrading the facility, according to court documents.
The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) and the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) jointly filed an application on Monday, arguing that Kenya could independently raise the $1.85 billion needed to modernize the airport in Nairobi.
They raised concerns that the proposed lease, covering East Africa’s largest aviation hub, was financially unfeasible, risked job losses, posed a fiscal risk, and failed to deliver value for taxpayers.
The High Court granted permission for judicial review, allowing LSK and KHRC to challenge the lease, LSK President Faith Odhiambo announced on X (formerly Twitter).
“The court has issued a stay order, preventing any actions related to the Adani proposal for JKIA until the case is resolved,” Odhiambo said.
The Adani Group has yet to respond to requests for comment. Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the Kenya Airports Authority declined to comment, citing the ongoing legal process.
Last month, the Kenya Aviation Workers Union threatened to strike over the deal, expressing concerns that it would lead to job cuts and an influx of foreign workers.
Kenya’s government has acknowledged the need for airport modernization due to capacity issues but emphasized that JKIA is not for sale.
It stated in July that Adani’s offer was under review and assured that any agreement would include safeguards to protect Kenya’s national interests.
