Davis Chirchir is no stranger to controversy. Once a promising figure in Kenyan politics, Chirchir has built a reputation clouded with scandal, corruption, and questionable dealings.
Now, as Roads and Transport Cabinet Secretary (CS), he finds himself embroiled in yet another storm—the controversial Adani-JKIA deal.
This is the man President William Ruto has trusted to oversee a deal that has sparked outrage and raised serious concerns among Kenyans.
Davis Chirchir and His History of Corruption Allegations
Chirchir’s career has been marred by corruption allegations dating back to 2013. When he was first appointed as Energy and Petroleum CS by former President Uhuru Kenyatta, he seemed poised for success. However, his reputation took a nosedive in 2015 after he was suspended following accusations of involvement in corruption.
One of the darkest moments in Chirchir’s career was his connection to the infamous “Chicken Gate” scandal.
In 2009, as the Information Technology Director of the defunct Interim Independent Electoral Commission (IIEC), Chirchir was accused of receiving bribes from U.K.-based firm Smith and Ouzman.
The firm paid millions of shillings to Kenyan election officials to secure lucrative contracts for printing ballot papers.
Chirchir resigned after being named in the scandal, along with other notable figures such as former IIEC Chief Executive Officer James Oswago, Uasin Gishu Woman Representative Gladys Boss, and former Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) Boss Paul Wasanga.
Despite his resignation and the weight of these accusations, Chirchir’s political career was far from over.
The Return to Power
In September 2022, Chirchir was appointed Chief of Staff at the Executive Office of the President. Before that, he had served as Chief of Staff in the Office of the Deputy President, working under President William Ruto.
His close ties to Ruto have been instrumental in his political survival, despite his tarnished image. Chirchir’s political ascent continued when he replaced the late Ken Osinde as Chief of Staff in March 2022.
His reappointment raised eyebrows, given his involvement in the “Chicken Gate” scandal and other allegations of electoral fraud.
Critics have argued that his IT background and involvement in the IIEC made him a key figure in Kenya’s controversial elections, with allegations swirling that he leveraged his position to manipulate election outcomes.
The Controversial Adani-JKIA Deal
Now, Chirchir is at the center of another scandal—the Adani-JKIA deal. This controversial agreement involves handing over the management of Kenya’s largest airport, Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), to Adani Holdings, an Indian conglomerate with a reputation for corruption.
The deal has sparked widespread outrage among the public and aviation workers, who fear job losses and the erosion of Kenya’s sovereignty over critical infrastructure.
The Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWI) has been vocal in its opposition to the deal, demanding that President Ruto’s government disclose the details of the lease agreement with the Adani Group.
KAWI has even threatened to strike if the deal goes through without proper transparency and safeguards for workers.
The concerns are not unfounded. Adani Group, owned by Indian billionaire Gautam Adani, has a checkered history.
Despite being one of India’s largest conglomerates with interests in energy, agribusiness, and airports, Adani has faced accusations of fraud, insider trading, and political favoritism.
Adani’s close ties to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi have raised eyebrows, especially as the company continues to expand its influence globally, including in Kenya.
Lack of Transparency and Public Outcry
The lack of transparency surrounding the Adani-JKIA deal has only fueled public anger. Aviation workers argue that the deal has been shrouded in secrecy, with no clear terms presented to the public.
This opacity has led to speculation that the deal may serve the interests of a select few rather than the Kenyan people.
The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) and the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) have taken legal action to halt the deal, winning a temporary delay from the High Court.
They argue that the lease agreement lacks transparency and violates Kenya’s constitution, which mandates public participation in such decisions.
The court’s decision has temporarily paused the handover of JKIA to Adani, but the battle is far from over.
Davis Chirchir As The Corrupt Man in Charge
Davis Chirchir’s involvement in the Adani-JKIA deal raises serious questions about the integrity of the process.
With a history tainted by corruption allegations, Chirchir’s appointment as the overseer of such a significant and controversial deal seems like a move designed to benefit the elite at the expense of ordinary Kenyans.
His previous scandals, including the “Chicken Gate” debacle, have shown that Chirchir is no stranger to underhanded deals.
Chirchir’s close ties to Ruto suggest that he may be leveraging his position to push through the Adani deal without addressing the concerns of the public and aviation workers.
As the man in charge of Kenya’s Energy and Petroleum Ministry, Chirchir is now a key player in a government that appears increasingly willing to make backroom deals with foreign conglomerates.
The Adani-JKIA deal is just the latest example of how Chirchir’s involvement in Kenyan politics has led to widespread distrust and concern over the country’s future.
What’s Next for JKIA?
The fate of JKIA is still unclear. The High Court has temporarily delayed the Adani deal, but the public and aviation workers keep demanding transparency and accountability.
With Davis Chirchir in charge of the negotiations, many fear the deal will go through despite public concerns.
Critics argue that JKIA’s management should stay under Kenyan control and that any agreement with foreign companies should protect the interests of Kenyan workers and the public.
The secrecy around the Adani deal has strengthened the belief that Chirchir and the government are more focused on personal gain than protecting Kenya’s interests.
