Dilema as State House Delays Process of Picking Electricity Body Boss

The selection process for the new Chief Executive at the Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation (REREC) is facing significant challenges due to political interference, patronage, and internal interests.

The upcoming interviews to fill the position, vacated after the two-year term of Peter Mbugua, are overshadowed by intense pressure on the board to favor specific candidates.

Sources within the corporation reveal that external influences, notably from the State House, are attempting to sway the decision in favor of a candidate with close ties to a high-ranking official.

This external lobbying is contributing to a contentious atmosphere surrounding the board’s decision-making process.

Complicating matters further, a senior official from the Ministry of Energy is reportedly advocating for a different candidate, adding to the internal conflicts within the board chaired by Godfrey Lemiso. Despite these challenges, Lemiso assures that the selection process will be transparent and fair.

REREC, entrusted with a substantial budget, plays a crucial role in the government’s ambitious One Mile project and the provision of power to rural areas.

However, the corporation has faced internal strife over time, with several top managers facing suspicions or charges related to corruption.

A recent controversy involves the Garissa Solar power plant project, which a parliamentary committee dismissed as a scam. The 54.6MW project, funded by a Chinese loan, remains uncommissioned despite completion.

The committee raises concerns about the project’s financial viability, noting that REREC took a loan of Sh13.5 billion with a 15-year repayment period for a plant designed to last 25 years.

This latest dispute adds to the challenges faced by REREC, raising questions about the corporation’s financial management and internal governance.