The stinking corruption at Kenya Power is nothing new to electricity consumers as it remains the culture at State owned corporation.
But things got worse after General Manager Dr. John Ng’eno joined the power utility after being transferred unceremoniously from Kenya Bureau of Standards (KBS) where he tainted his name by flaunting insurance tender.
Ng’eno has moved the art of his predecessors notches higher at the giant power company which enjoys monopoly in the Kenyan market.
It is also important to note that he’s among the top KPLC managers who were suspended by the former Jubilee administration over serious procurement offenses but he was later reinstated by the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum to execute dirty deals on behalf of top officials and tribesmen.
Ng’eno hails from Kericho and brags of being a close ally of the controversial Energy CS, Mr. Davies Chirchir. He has continued to increase the cost of power despite the public outcry and increased cost of living.
He is doing what he was reinstated to do despite evidence of out right theft. His tribesmen is powerful positions have insulated him from prosecution although he is facing serious accusations from local contractors for refusing to sign off contracts for companies fronted by individuals he perceives to be from Azimio zones.
Ng’eno has refused to sign contracts for labour and transport for the last three months hence causing frustrations and anger among the affected businessmen.
He is using his position of power to play politics, rather than making decisions based on merit and the needs of the giant electricity company which has been struggling to make profit for decades.
A section of disgruntled contractors are now demanding that Ngeno be held accountable for his actions as they push for the contracts to be signed immediately.
The delays caused by the corrupt manager have gone against the principles of equality and fairness in business and has ignited fervent discussions with some of the affected contractors calling for Ngeno’s removal from his position.
They are also demanding for a comprehensive investigation into the matter, with the aim of ascertaining the extent of the political bias and its ramifications on the company.
Ng’eno is now set to increase electricity prices by 78% in April if Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) approves new tariffs from Kenya Power that seek to withdraw the monthly subsidy that cushions poor households.
Kenya Power is engaging EPRA — the electricity sector regulator — for the first upward review of power prices since 2018, putting further pressure on consumers.
