Nelson Amenya is a Kenyan whistleblower and MBA candidate at HEC Paris, known for exposing a controversial deal involving the Adani Group’s proposal to lease Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
His revelations, which included secret negotiations and potential misuse of funds, have sparked significant public outcry and a parliamentary investigation.
Despite his commitment to transparency, Amenya has faced threats and intimidation from various parties, including the Directorate of Criminal Investigations in Kenya.
Education
Amenya is currently pursuing a Master of Business Administration (MBA) at HEC Paris, expected to graduate in 2025.
He previously earned a Bachelor of Graphic Communication and Advertising from Moi University, where he studied from 2013 to 2017.
Amenya completed his primary education at Muthaiga Primary School and his high school diploma at Nyeri Baptist High School between 2008 and 2011.
Career
Amenya served as a Creative Manager at Majid Al Futtaim in Nairobi from May 2020 to August 2023.
In this role, he led the branding strategies for Carrefour stores across Kenya and Uganda, ensuring that all branding efforts were consistent and aligned with the corporate identity.
He managed creative projects from conception to execution, collaborating with cross-functional teams to enhance the overall customer experience.
Amenya developed marketing materials and campaigns that effectively communicated the brand’s value proposition, significantly contributing to the visibility and engagement of Carrefour in the region.
In May 2023, Amenya co-founded Afrinet Carbon, a climate finance company focused on promoting sustainable practices and carbon offset initiatives across Africa.
As a co-founder, he engaged in developing innovative solutions to address climate change while creating economic opportunities.
Prior to his role at Majid Al Futtaim, Amenya held the position of Branding Section In Charge at Carrefour, where he oversaw branding initiatives for the stores.
He played a crucial role in enhancing brand visibility and customer engagement through targeted marketing strategies that aligned with the company’s standards.
Additionally, he has experience as a UI/UX Designer and Web Designer, where he designed user interfaces and experiences for various digital platforms.
Exposing Adani-JKIA deal
Amenya is known for exposing a controversial deal involving the leasing of Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) to the Adani Group, an Indian conglomerate.
In July 2024, he revealed documents detailing secret negotiations between the Kenyan government and Adani, which included terms that raised significant public concern.
Amenya highlighted that the deal would allow Adani to control JKIA for 30 years, with provisions that could jeopardize Kenya’s economic interests.
His exposé prompted widespread protests and strikes from airport workers, as well as a parliamentary investigation into the deal.
Despite facing threats and intimidation from various parties, including the Directorate of Criminal Investigations in Kenya and online harassment from Indian bloggers, Amenya remains committed to advocating for transparency and accountability in governance.
