Angry Senators Walk Out As John Mbadi's Grilling Session Turns Chaotic: "You're Wasting Our Time"

• Treasury CS John Mbadi's grilling session on the Adani-JKIA takeover on Monday, September 23, was chaotic
• Contention began when Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka claimed to have evidence that two other companies, besides Adani, had shown interest in JKIA
• Things got so out of hand that senators Edwin Sifuna, Samson Cherargei and Richard Onyonka stormed out of Senate

Tensions flared in the Senate, leading to a walkout as the grilling of newly appointed Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi descended into chaos.

Why did Mbadi's grilling turn chaotic?

The Senate's inquiry into the controversial Adani-Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) takeover deal descended into disorder on Monday, September 23, as senators traded sharp remarks.

Contention began when Kisii Senator Richard Onyoka presented new evidence that Adani Group was not the only company to have written to the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) expressing interest in JKIA.

Onyoka claimed that two of the three interested companies were reportedly overlooked, with only Adani being considered.

"Chair, I would like to table. I have three letters, two of which were written by two different companies; Adani was the third one. CS, you're wasting our time," Onyoka said.

However, Mbadi insisted that only Adani had expressed interest and that no correspondence had been sent to the Treasury concerning any other company.

Tensions escalated further when Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna's cross-examination of Mbadi became more of a personal confrontation.

"Honourable CS, now you're heckling and out of order. Chair, if the CS is tired of answering questions from the people's representatives, let him tell us. He can walk out and return when his temperament is befitting of a Cabinet secretary. The CS must apologise for throwing a tantrum here," Sifuna said.

The back-and-forth between the senators and CS Mbadi escalated, prompting Transport Committee Chair Karungo Thang'wa to intervene.

Thangwa accused Senators Onyonka, Sifuna, and Samson Cherargei of turning the hearing into a dramatic session.

"You're using this session to get trending videos. We must conduct ourselves with respect and decorum," Thang'wa said.

In response, the three senators walked out of the session, accusing the chair of suppressing their voices.

Mbadi says Adani must fulfill govt demands

In a separate incident, the Treasury CS said the government had set demands for Adani Airport Holdings to fulfil before taking over JKIA.

Mbadi confirmed that the deal was yet to be signed.

The CS told the Thangwa-led committee that should the court uphold the deal, the Indian firm will not get clearance from the PPP committee until it meets some conditions.

The CS highlighted some of the conditions set by the PPP committee as follows:

• Ensure all airport workers are onboarded on better terms
• Ensure the firm prioritises Kenyans during recruitment
• Incorporate Kenyans' views obtained through public participation
• Ensure no changes to the deal terms without engaging the PPP committee

Proofreading by Mercy Nyambura Guthua, journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke