KenGen Finally Pays Photographer After Five Years Of Tussle

A professional photographer was finally paid Kshs. 2.2million owed to him by the Kenya Electricity Generating Company(KENGEN)for photography services following the intervention of the Commission in a case of inordinate delay.

According to Mr. Joshua Onyancha, he was a contracted photographer for KENGEN-since 2013 and was attached to the Human Resource- Training School, Safety and Liaison Departments in Olkaria Geothermal Power Station. He was in charge of photography during the staff training programs, team building, community meetings and other company events.

The company was making prompt payment for the services until 2015 when the company began delaying in settling outstanding payments. However, since he had a contract with the company he continued offering his services with the hope that he will be paid until April 2017 when he finally stopped when no money was hitting his account.

Efforts to have the company pay the outstanding amount owed were futile a matter which subjected him to hard economic times. “I am facing economic hardship as a result of the inordinate delay by the company to settle my dues, my children are out of school due to lack of fees and my business has closed down,” said Mr. Onyancha when he filed a complaint with the Office of Ombudsman.

The Commission by a way of inquiry took up the issue with the KENGEN’s Geothermal Development Director who informed the Commission that they had not completed the documentation and therefore, invited Mr. Onyancha to furnish them with the pending documents to facilitate payment. The Geothermal Development Director, in a letter to the Commission, confirmed that the company made the payment in full after verification of the documents.

Mr. Onyancha in an email to the Commission confirmed receipt of the payment.

“I am happy to report that the pending payment from KENGEN has been effected. I was paid Kshs 2.2 million in two instalments, the first in December 2020 and the second on 28^th January 2021. I also want to thank the Commission for the good work you are doing,” read the email.