Political intrigues mar the process of picking electricity body boss

Political interference, patronage and internal interests are threatening the appointment of the new Chief Executive at the Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation.

The interviews for the new CEO are scheduled to take place next week but the board is said to be under intense pressure on who to pick for the coveted position. The position fell vacant following the expiry of the term of Peter Mbugua who served for two years.

According to a source at the corporation, strings are being pushed from the State House where a top official who is related to one of the candidates is campaigning for her appointment.

“The board is under intense pressure from powers that be to pick a candidate of their choice,” said a source privy to the exercise.

Above board

Another top official from the ministry of Energy also has his preferred candidate, further complicating matters for the board which is chaired by Godfrey Lemiso.

Those shortlisted for the CEO’s position are, Stephen Busienei, Vincent Sidai, Elizabeth Nekesa, Dennis Kamuren, Bruno Linyiru, Rose Mkalama, Humpfrey Mwangi, Rosemary Oduor and Lawrence Oloo.

Mkalama is the acting CEO and sits in the board as the secretary. Insiders are questioning how the board will treat her candidature considering that she is party to the board which is planning the interviews.

When contacted by People Daily, Lemiso dispelled the claims of interference insisting that the process will be above board.

“I want to assure that the process will be free and fair, it will be above board,” he said during an interview.

REREC controls a huge budget and is tasked to play a major role in the ambitious government One Mile project as well providing power to rural parts of the country.

This year the corporation was allocated Sh15 billion and is carrying out multi-billion shillings projects across the country.

REREC has been embroiled in internal wrangles over time which has seen several top managers either suspected or charged over graft related matters.

15 years

The most recent issue is the Garissa Solar power plant project which a parliamentary committee dismissed as a scam. The 54.6 MW Garissa solar power plant project funded by a Chinese loan was completed last year but has not been commissioned.

The committee says the project has no value for money after REREC took a loan of Sh13.5 billion in 2018/19 to construct the plant whose life span is 25 years against a loan repayment period of 15 years.

The project can only generate a maximum revenue of Sh500 million yearly, implying that after the 15 years loan repayment period, REREC will have paid only Sh7.5 billion.

Payment of the remaining principal amount and interests will therefore be shouldered by taxpayers.

“The EACC should investigate the conceptualization and implementation of Garissa Power Plant to ascertain whether there was value for money and prefer charges, if possible, against persons that may be found culpable,” the National Assembly PIC chaired by then Mvita MP Abdulswamad Nassir, said in a report to the House.