NAIROBI, Kenya, June 25 – The High Court has been told that no evidence has been filed to show that the government formally cancelled the controversial KETRACO transmission project linked to India’s Adani Group, despite President William Ruto announcing its cancellation in 2024.
The disclosure was made by State Counsel during proceedings at the Milimani Law Courts in a case filed by the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) against the Kenya Electricity Transmission Company (KETRACO) and six other respondents.
According to a letter from Theuri Wesonga & Company Advocates to its client, Gitson Energy Limited, the matter came up for mention to confirm whether the State had filed evidence showing the contract had been cancelled.
“The matter came up for mention to confirm whether the State Counsel had filed evidence of cancellation of the contract,” the letter stated.
The court also allowed Gitson Energy’s application, filed in late 2024, to join the case as an interested party.
“We informed the Court that we had a pending joinder application and sought directions on the same before the Petition could proceed,” the advocates said.
Justice Bahati Mwamuye directed the respondents and Gitson Energy to file and serve their responses within 14 days from June 18.
LSK will then have 14 days to file its rejoinder and written submissions in support of the petition, after which the respondents and interested parties will be given a further 14 days to submit their responses.
The KETRACO-Adani project was a Public-Private Partnership announced in 2024 and involved the construction of high-voltage transmission lines and substations aimed at strengthening Kenya’s electricity transmission network.
On November 21, 2024, President Ruto announced that the government had initiated the cancellation of the Sh95.68 billion project, alongside the proposed expansion of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport by the Adani Group, following public opposition and legal challenges.
The case is expected to proceed once all parties file their responses and submissions.
