Julius Kiprop
- President Ruto defends the Ksh95 billion deal between KETRACO and Adani Energy Solutions to build and operate power transmission lines in Kenya.
- The deal, signed under a Public Private Partnership (PPP), aims to avoid borrowing, reduce the financial burden on Kenyans, and leverage private sector efficiency.
- Energy CS Opiyo Wandayi highlighted the project as a solution to power blackouts, with a 30-year repayment plan.
President William Ruto has defended the Ksh95 billion agreement between the Kenya Electricity Transmission Company Limited (KETRACO) and Adani Energy Solutions, emphasizing the benefits of a Public Private Partnership (PPP) over borrowing funds for national infrastructure development. His comments came during an event in Nakuru County on Thursday, October 24, where he praised the deal’s potential to boost efficiency without overburdening taxpayers.
In his speech, President Ruto explained that the PPP approach with Adani Energy Solutions was the preferred alternative to taking on additional loans, which would increase the national debt and strain Kenya’s economy. The deal will see Adani invest Ksh95 billion in the development, operation, and maintenance of key power transmission lines in the country.
“We would have otherwise gone to borrow that money and burden the people of Kenya. This partnership allows us to deliver public services by tapping into the efficiency of the private sector while supporting overall development in our country,” President Ruto remarked.
Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi had earlier announced the 30-year agreement, signed on Friday, October 11, as a major step in addressing Kenya’s ongoing power reliability challenges. Wandayi noted that Adani Energy Solutions would handle the financing, construction, operation, and maintenance of vital power infrastructure, including substations and transmission lines.
“The signing of this agreement marks the conclusion of a long-negotiated process. The project company will raise all the funding in the form of debt and equity, which will be repaid over 30 years. This ensures value for money for the country,” Wandayi explained.
The project covers the development of key transmission lines such as the 400kV Gilgil-Thika-Malaa-Konza Line and the 132kV Menengai-Ol Kalou-Rumuruti Line, among others.
President Ruto’s defense of the Ksh95 billion deal emphasizes the government’s strategy of leveraging private investment to drive infrastructure development without adding to Kenya’s debt. With Energy CS Wandayi highlighting the long-term benefits of power reliability, the partnership with Adani Energy Solutions is seen as a crucial step in addressing the country’s persistent power blackouts and supporting economic growth.
