Blow To Ruto As Matiang’i Makes Radical Changes At Kenya Power

The cartels are said to have artificially created power shortages then introduced the so-called Independent Power Producers (IPP) which took over the production of power using diesel generators at a much higher cost

 Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) face monumental operational losses blamed on graft cartels from within the company and to an extent, outsiders. Tough-talking interior cabinet secretary Fred Matiangi is leading the “rescue” team. This is not good news for embattled deputy president William Ruto.

DP Ruto latest key allies John Muenyesh (Petroleum) and Charles Keter (Power) have fallen by the wayside, as President Uhuru Kenyatta begins a purge at the power firm. Kenya Power has since the days of long-serving managing director Samuel Gichuru been nothing but a den of thriving graft cartels.

The cartels are said to have artificially created power shortages then introduced the so-called Independent Power Producers (IPP) which took over the production of power using diesel generators at a much higher cost. IPP’s sell power to KPLC at highly inflated costs, CS Mataingi says that this must “come down” by all means to save wananchi from punitive power charges.

Since the introduction of “Tokens” in recent years, there have been claims that DP Ruto was involved in single-source importation of the gadgets, transformers and concrete posts.

At the heart of Kenya Power rot are claims of inflated bills retaining “fixed costs” that the government says it had long waived in its efforts to expand electricity connections to the countryside

The energy sector has remained one of Kenya’s most grafts prone, in which “white elephants” in the Turkwell Gorge in Turkana and the Kerio valley have turned bureaucrats into overnight millionaires.

At the heart of Kenya Power rot are claims of inflated bills retaining “fixed costs” that the government says it had long waived in its efforts to expand electricity connections to the countryside.

A well-connected cartel is said to have been making millions from tokens through “smart” computer software manipulation of servers that allows deductions to end up in their pockets before the cash lands in KP coffers!

While it’s still a matter of wait and sees, the major re-alignments ahead of the Uhuru succession next year, and battle for lucrative state-related business could see matters take a turn for the worst.

The combative Mataingi says he is “ready” for any eventualities as he vows to clean up the power monopoly that does not even fall under his docket. And it’s a numbing blow to Ruto, who as an astute operator is widely claimed to have made good returns on tender supplies through members of his family including his older son.

Ruto now sees a drastic cut on his income like that of Jogoo road rental houses he had leased to Kenya Police and which was stopped by President Kenyatta in 2019.