Leadership in the State Department for Energy
At the Helm of Transforming Kenya’s Energy Future
Since my appointment as Principal Secretary in December 2022, I have provided trans-formative leadership at the State Department for Energy. My ongoing tenure is marked by a strong commitment to aligning Kenya’s energy sector reforms with the Kenya Kwanza Manifesto, focusing on enhancing energy access, renewable energy expansion, and sustainable development. I continues to champion Kenya’s vision for affordable, reliable, and clean energy for all citizens.
Key Milestones & Achievements
- Accelerated Last Mile Connectivity: Spearheaded the last mile connectivity initiative, moving Kenya toward universal power access with a current connectivity rate of 76%. This involved mobilizing funding and collaborating with development partners to support the Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation (REREC) and Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) projects.
- Renewable Energy Advancements: Prioritized renewable energy development, especially geothermal power, partnering with KenGen for projects in Olkaria and the Geothermal Development Company in Menengai. Key initiatives included the uprating of Olkaria I (Units 4 & 5), which resulted in an additional 35 MW to the grid.
- Expansion of Geothermal Capacity Oversaw early construction phases of several projects that will add 35 MW each by developers Sosian, Globelec, and Kaishan Or-Power 22, enhancing Kenya’s clean energy capacity.
- Kenya Power Restructuring: Led significant policy and structural reforms at Kenya Power, transforming it into a profitable entity. For the first time in seven years, Kenya Power reported a profit of Ksh. 30 billion due to improved efficiency and reduced operational losses. Which saw a divided to customer of — per share
- World Bank Collaboration on Off-Grid Solar Access Successfully extended the Kenya Offgrid Solar Access Program (KOSAP), in partnership with the World Bank, to electrify underserved counties and reach 14 off-grid areas, enhancing rural electrification.
- Promotion of Clean Cooking Technologies:- Advocated for climate-friendly cooking solutions, distributing improved cookstoves and biogas systems to schools and communities, supporting healthier and more sustainable cooking practices.
- Environmental Stewardship Championed tree planting initiatives in strategic forests and water towers, such as those supporting the Seven Forks Dams, to ensure sustainable hydropower sources and ecosystem conservation.
- Engagement with Independent Power Producers (IPPs) Initiated negotiations with IPPs to lower power costs by renegotiating Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), aiming to reduce the financial burden on Kenyan consumers.
- Enhanced Security of Energy Infrastructure Strengthened the Energy Police Unit and coordinated with security agencies to curb vandalism power infrastructures and safeguard critical installations.
- Cross-Border Power Trade and Infrastructure Development Played a central role in advancing cross-border power trade between Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Ethiopia. This included fast-tracking the Kenya-Tanzania transmission line to connect to the Eastern Africa Power Pool.
- Dispatch of Ethiopian Power During Drought Assembled a team to expedite the dispatch of 200 MW of affordable power from Ethiopia to Kenya, a critical measure during Kenya’s prolonged drought period that prevented load shedding in early 2023.
- Completion of High-Voltage Transmission Lines and substations Prioritized the completion of high-voltage transmission lines and substations to facilitate industrial power access, notably in Athi River and Mariakani to serve key economic zones.
- Fiber Optic Infrastructure Initiative Initiated collaboration with the Ministry of ICT to utilize Kenya’s extensive transmission network for fiber optic installation, supporting the digital superhighway and enhancing communication infrastructure.
- Alternative Financing and Green Financing Initiatives Advocated for alternative financing solutions, including green financing, to fund sustainable network expansions, enhance power generation, and ultimately reduce consumer costs.
- Sectoral Coordination and Synergy Fostered coordination across the energy sector to ensure the successful implementation of ongoing projects and to deliver stable, affordable, and reliable power to Kenyans.
