Energy cartels panic as Chirchir returns to restructure docket

The return of Davis Chirchir at the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum as part of President William Ruto’s plan to control the cash-rich docket has left cartels in panic mode.

Chirchir is Ruto’s closer ally and former chief of staff whose presence at the docket signals how the head of state wants the energy sector to run.

Plot Hatched To Kick-Out HELB Boss Ringera

CBK’s Njoroge Next On The Chopping Board After KRA’s Mburu

He is expected to make far-reaching changes in ministry and route out cartels with links to retired regime that kicked him out of the docket.

Cartels in the State Agencies under the ministry are already complaining of what they term as ‘Kalenjinisation’ of the Energy ministry.

Chirchir who is currently initiating an overhaul of the lucrative docket was preferred for the job because he has perfected the art of corporate and political survival despite being seen by many as complacent.

As changes loom, reports have emerged that professionals and power brokers from the president’s Kalenjin community are influencing how top positions at the respective parastatals under the ministry will be filled.

At Kenya Power, Geoffrey Muli’s fate is hanging on the balance. Muli was handed the position former Energy CS, Monica Juma who had influence over the board.

Corrupt chairperson of the board of directors Vivienne Yeda has indicated that she is exiting KPLC with Kalenjins at the agency celebrating and exuding confidence that those who are serving in acting capacities will be confirmed.

Members of the Kikuyu community who controlled the institution for years are also said to be lobbying through DP Rigathi Gachagua to reclaim top positions.

Ministry of Energy is very critical to the socio-economic development of any country but in Kenya the docket has been reduced into a looters’ den where managers siphon billions of shillings belonging to taxpayers.

Several mega projects under the ministry have stalled due to embezzlement of funds by the persons entrusted to implement them. Others have delayed as a result of divergent interests exhibited by stakeholders.

Chirchir was the first Energy CS under retired president Uhuru Kenyatta in 2013 but was fired in early 2015 over his involvement in the printing of 2013 election ballots in the infamous ‘chicken-gate scandal’.

When he appeared before Speaker Moses Wetang’ula-led national assembly committee on appointments for vetting, Chirchir said that his desire was to restructure the energy sector.

He plans to work with key industry players as KenGen, Kenya Power, Kenya Electricity Transmitting Company Limited, Kenya Pipeline Corporation, Kenya National Oil Corporation, and Kenya Electrification and Renewable Corporation for consumers to enjoy affordable tariffs on renewable energy sources as opposed to expensive thermal energy.

Chirchir also pledged to increase Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation [REREC] budget to support the government’s subsidy programmes targeting last mile connectivity.

REREC CEO Peter Mbugua is currenntly serving suspension after swindling money through multibillion shillings fake surveys.

An internal audit report reveals how he irregularly paid Sh430 million for geospatial engineers and business consultants as well as universal land services and Theodore studies.

The report raised questions over irregular invoices pushing the management to kick out accounting and finance staff while the board suspended the CEO to give room for thorough investigations.

Monica Juma’s sister Rose Mkalama who is serving the general manager informatin, communication and education is the most feared face at Rerec but she will be neutralized through the looming changes.

Rerec board of directors are Wacuka Iku – chairperson, Rhodah Wanjiku – board member, Ibrahim Sora – board member and Isaac Mbeche – board member.

Experts predict that KenGen where a Kalenjin, Abraham Serem, has been appointed in an acting capacity, will be a litmus test of how far ‘kalenjinization’ can go.

Mr. Serem was appointed after former CEO Rebecca Miano was made the cabinet secretary for East African Community, Arid and Semi-Arid Lands, and Regional Development.

He was an insider who had served as KenGen’s general manager human resources and administrationsince March 2016 when he joined KenGen.