A highly charged atmosphere gripped the Bomas of Kenya today during a United Democratic Alliance (UDA) function when a speech by digital strategist and UDA insider Dennis Itumbi was abruptly cut short by an irate group of university students.
Itumbi, who took to the podium to address the audience on various matters including the controversial JKIA-Adani deal, was met with boos and jeers that escalated into a full-blown disruption.
The event, which was expected to rally support among the youth for UDA’s agenda, took an unexpected turn when the students—who had been mobilized to attend the function—voiced their dissent against the proposed deal that would see India’s Adani Group take over operations at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).
Itumbi Defends JKIA-Adani Deal
Itumbi, a prominent figure within the UDA party, attempted to justify the controversial airport deal, stating that it would lead to improved infrastructure, better management, and increased employment opportunities.
He highlighted the potential for the deal to modernize JKIA, attract more international investment, and streamline operations for both domestic and international flights.
However, his remarks were not well received by the students, who clearly had reservations about the foreign takeover of a key national asset.
As Itumbi spoke, the crowd’s murmurs of discontent grew louder, and it wasn’t long before the students began to chant and heckle.
Students Oppose the Deal
The students, who were largely from local universities, expressed strong opposition to what they described as the “auctioning” of a critical national asset to a foreign entity.
They held up placards and shouted slogans against the Adani Group, accusing the government of prioritizing foreign interests over the welfare of Kenyan citizens.
“Kenya is not for sale!” one student shouted, as others joined in chanting anti-deal slogans. The uproar forced Itumbi to halt his speech momentarily, attempting to calm the crowd by stating that the government had the country’s best interests at heart.
But the students were having none of it. Their objections to the deal were clear—many viewed it as yet another example of foreign corporations being given control over essential national resources at the expense of the Kenyan people.
Itumbi Forced to Cut Short His Speech
Despite efforts to placate the crowd, the students’ jeers only intensified, prompting event organizers to intervene.
Itumbi was eventually forced to cut short his speech, retreating from the podium as the unruly crowd continued to voice their frustrations.
The disruption has drawn attention to the growing discontent among youth regarding government policies, particularly those seen as favoring foreign corporations over national interests.
The JKIA-Adani deal has been at the center of a heated national debate, with critics arguing that it undermines Kenya’s sovereignty and hands over control of a vital economic asset to a foreign company.
A Divided Opinion
While the UDA government has stood by the deal, claiming that it will bring much-needed investment and modernization to the country’s largest airport, critics, including the students at the Bomas of Kenya, remain unconvinced.
They argue that Kenya’s resources should remain in Kenyan hands and that any attempts to privatize or lease out such assets should be closely scrutinized.
As the dust settles from today’s disruption, it is clear that the debate over the JKIA-Adani deal is far from over.
The incident at Bomas highlights the deep divisions and growing frustrations within the country, particularly among the youth, who feel increasingly marginalized by government decisions.
Whether or not the UDA leadership will heed the concerns raised by the students remains to be seen. However, one thing is clear—the youth are not backing down, and their voices are growing louder.
