Safaricom Board Chair Defends Employment Of Ruto's Son Nick At His Law Firm Representing Adani

• President William Ruto's son, Nick, works at Dentons, Hamilton Harrison & Mathews, the law firm which is representing Adani Airports Holdings in its JKIA takeover bid
• Safaricom board chair Adil Khawaja, a close friend of the president is the managing partner at the law firm
• Khawaja defended Adani's choice of law firm in the case, pointing out that Dentons HHM had handled instances involving Public-Private Partnership (PPP) initiatives before

TUKO.co.ke journalist Japhet Ruto has over eight years of experience in financial, business, and technology reporting and offers profound insights into Kenyan and global economic trends.

Details have emerged that President William Ruto's son, Nick, is working at Dentons, Hamilton Harrison & Mathews, the law firm which is defending Adani Airports Holdings in the lawsuit contesting its takeover bid for the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).

How did Nick Ruto join Dentons, Hamilton Harrison & Mathews?

Safaricom board chair Adil Khawaja is the managing partner at the law firm. He is reportedly a long-term friend of the president.

Khawaja defended Nick's appointment, claiming that he was employed in a fair recruitment process.

"I didn't even know that he (Nick) had applied. We receive thousands of applications each year, and he was one of the applicants. He went through the process and was selected," Khawaja told Daily Nation.

Citizen Digital reported that Khawaja and Ruto have been close friends for over thirty years, and he has accompanied the head of state on several foreign visits.

Adil Khawaja defends his law firm

Khawaja also defended Adani's choice of law firm in the case, pointing out that Dentons HHM had previously handled instances involving Public-Private Partnership (PPP) initiatives.

According to its website, the law firm has provided legal solutions to corporate and individual clients since 1902.

"Adani are one of the biggest companies in the world. They are already running the port in Tanzania, and they want to expand across the East African region," Khawaja said.

Was Adani deal with JKIA rushed?

Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) and the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) filed a case challenging the implementation of the JKIA lease deal with Adani Airport Holdings.

High Court Judge J. Chigiti issued conservatory orders on the issue, directing respondents, including Adani Group, to file responses within five days.

In its response, the Indian Conglomerate argued that the deal was above board and was approved by the Kenya Airport Authority (KAA).

However, it denied reports claiming its proposal to take over operations at JKIA was approved within 17 days.

Proofreading by Asher Omondi, current affairs journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.