Legislators take firm bosses to task over high cost of power
By Anthony.Mwangi, March 3, 2023The management of Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) has been protecting powerful cartels who contribute to the high cost of power, MPs claimed yesterday.
The lawmakers accused the management of failing to come up with proposals to lower the cost of electricity and instead continue working with cartels.
Yesterday, the management led by acting Managing Director Geoffrey Muli were thrown out of a meeting with the National Assembly Committee on Public Investment on commercial affairs and energy meetings for failing to address some issues.
Committee chairperson David Pkosing (Pokot South) claimed the company has been working with powerful people who sell power to the firm to the disadvantage of consumers.
The MPs further faulted the company for its continued purchase of power from the Independent Power Producers (IPPs) even after issues were raised over their pricing.
“It will be futile for the government to provide power to Kenyans who cannot afford to purchase it,” said Pkosing.
The IPPs, Pkosign added, had held KPLC captive while making huge profits as the company continued to record huge losses.
“We will expose the owners of these IPPs,” the committee chairperson added.
Pkosing said the management did not provide sufficient answers on how they will address the high cost of power.
Minority leader Opiyo Wandayi said for the matter to be addressed properly, a special audit of the utility firm should be conducted to establish how it has been making losses even as it sold power exorbitantly.
He questioned the frequent changes in the top management of the company, adding that the replacement of managing directors needs to be probed.
“Why are CEOs of Kenya Power being changed every day like clothes?” Wandayi posed.