Nairobi, Kenya – October 12, 2025
Kenyans are reeling with outrage after revelations that the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) awarded a staggering Sh243 million direct tender to Triple OK Law Advocates LLP to defend against petitions challenging the controversial Adani Group’s proposed lease of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA). The figure, nearly 20 times the initial Sh12.5 million budget, has sparked accusations of “budgeted corruption” and thuggery, with citizens demanding accountability from public officials.
The scandal broke on October 11, 2025, when whistleblower Nelson Amenya, a Kenyan MBA student in France, shared documents on X detailing the procurement process. The tender, justified by the urgency of ongoing judicial reviews and the law firm’s prior knowledge of the case, was awarded through direct procurement—a move that bypassed competitive bidding. Negotiations in May 2025 secured a 10% price reduction, but the final cost still left Kenyans stunned, with Amenya calling it “a quarter of a billion shillings for legal services that should cost a fraction.”
The petitions, filed by groups including the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) and the Law Society of Kenya, argue that the Adani deal—proposing a 30-year lease to overhaul JKIA—violated transparency laws and exposed public assets to fiscal risks. Leaked documents, first exposed by Amenya in July 2024, revealed terms that could have obligated Kenya to compensate Adani if the company failed to recoup its investment. This triggered widespread protests, including strikes at JKIA and Senate hearings, ultimately leading to the deal’s suspension.
The legal battle intensified in October 2024 when the High Court halted Adani’s $736 million power transmission deal, citing a lack of public participation and secretive procurement processes. The controversy deepened in November 2024 when US prosecutors indicted Adani executives for a $265 million bribery scheme in India, prompting Kenya to cancel both the airport and energy contracts. Critics now point to systemic procurement flaws, including ignored feasibility studies and handpicked legal representation, as evidence of broader governance failures.
Attorney General Mohamud M. Gedo signed off on the tender, which outlines a timeline from bid submission on January 24, 2025, to a professional opinion due by September 4, 2025. However, the process has raised red flags, with legal experts questioning why the AG—mandated under Article 156 of the Constitution to represent KAA—outsourced the case to a private firm. Calls are growing for the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) to investigate, with some suggesting officials be held personally liable under Article 226(5) for the loss of public funds.
On X, reactions were swift and scathing. Dr. Miguna Miguna labeled Kenya “a crime scene,” while others like @YwfYouth vowed to hold the Kenya Kwanza government accountable. “This is outrageous,” tweeted @amenya_nelson, urging a counter-petition to challenge the expenditure. The firm, Triple OK Law Advocates, registered in 2025 and dubbed “the KANU/Raila Odinga firm” by critics, has fueled suspicions of political favoritism.
As legal battles continue, the inflated legal fees have added to the financial strain on taxpayers, with the Adani saga already costing hundreds of millions. Activists are now demanding a forensic audit to trace the funds and ensure justice for what many see as a betrayal of public trust. With the nation’s biggest airport at the heart of the controversy, the fight for transparency is far from over.
There's no story that cannot be told. We cover the stories that others don't want to be told, we bring you all the news you need. If you have tips, exposes or any story you need to be told bluntly and all queries write to us [email protected] also find us on Telegram
