Nelson Amenya, a digital activist, became a household name in July 2024 after leaking documents exposing the $2 billion deal to lease JKIA to the Adani Group for 30 years.
The exposé revealed terms that many Kenyans saw as unfair and damaging to the economy.
It showed plans to use JKIA as collateral for loans and change workers’ contracts, sparking outrage, strikes, and calls for transparency.
His actions sparked protests, but it was the U.S. indictment of Adani Group founder Gautam Adani for bribery that led President Ruto to cancel the deal.
Amenya’s bravery and fight for transparency have made him a true hero for his country.
But who is Nelson Amenya beyond the whistleblower? Here are five key facts about the man behind the headlines.
1. Age and Education
Nelson Amenya, 30, began his academic at Muthaiga Primary School and continued at Nyeri Baptist High School.
He holds a degree in Design and Advertising from Moi University.
And an MBA from HEC Paris.
While pursuing his Masters. Amenya served as Vice President of Corporate & Business Partnerships for the Africa Club.
Despite studying abroad, Amenya remains deeply connected to Kenya, stating, “Even if I am far away, I still have a duty to my country.”
2. Celebrity on X (formerly Twitter)
Since his exposé, Amenya has become popular on X with over 181K followers.
He constantly engages in discussions about corruption, transparency, and Kenyan politics.
3. Professional Background
Amenya co-founded Afrinet Carbon, a climate finance company focused on carbon offset projects in East, Southern, and Sahel regions of Africa.
He is also an opinion columnist at The Star, where he writes about governance, accountability, and development.
4. Threats and Legal Challenges
Amenya’s bravery came at a high cost.
He has faced threats from unknown individuals, including Kenyan authorities and Indian bloggers.
Amenya has also been slapped with defamation lawsuits by representatives of the Adani Group and a Kenyan politician.
Despite the intimidation, Amenya stands firm, declaring, “It would have been the biggest mistake of my life to give up.”
To cover mounting legal fees, he has initiated fundraising efforts, highlighting the personal toll of exposing powerful interests.
A Patriot’s Mission
Amenya’s decision to expose the Adani-JKIA deal stemmed from his unwavering commitment to a better Kenya.
He has no regrets about his actions, saying, “We don’t really need to wait for someone to save us.”
His courage inspires Kenyans to hold their leaders accountable and push for transparency.
By Vivian K.