- National Assembly Committee on Energy unveiled the directors of the Independent Power Producers (IPPs) selling electricity to Kenya Power
- The lawmakers revealed that the IPPs are the main reason behind the rising cost of electricity in the country
- The companies' cost of electricity to KPLC is KSh 25 per unit kilowatt, which is five times more than electricity from KenGen
PAY ATTENTION: Help us change more lives, join TUKO.co.ke’s Patreon programme.
Kenyans have been raising concerns over increasing power bills from the Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC).
The National Assembly Committee on Energy said Independent Power Producers' (IPPs) charges are the main reason behind the continued rise in the cost of electricity.
Cost of electricity from IPPs
The MPs revealed IPPs' electricity costs five times more than power from the Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen).
PAY ATTENTION: Follow us on Instagram - get the most important news directly in your favourite app!
The companies want the government to remove taxes on HF4 oil in order to review the prices, which currently stand at stands KSh 25 per kilowatt unit.
Gem MP Elisha Odhiambo argued that the IPPs contracted by Kenya Power keep changing their names at the end of a purchasing agreement.
"Every time the Power Purchasing Agreement (PPA) comes to an end, they change their names. It is important for us to dig deep and get the faces behind these companies," said Odhiambo, as quoted by Citizen TV.
The IPPs questioned by the lawmakers include Lake Turkana Wind Power Limited, Gulf Power Limited, Iber Africa Power (EA) Limited, Orpower 4inc, Kipeto Energy Plc, Tsavo Power Company Limited.
Rabai Power Limited, Thika Power Limited, Vestas East Africa Ltd, Triumph Power Generating Company, Noora Power Ltd and Industrial Promotion Services (Kenya) Ltd.
Below is the list of directors for the companies supplying power to KPLC.
List of foreign and local directors selling power to KPLC
| Independent Power Producers (IPPs) Foreign Directors | Independent Power Producers (IPPs) Kenyan Directors |
| 1. Mohamed Sadenu - British national | 1. Christopher Mugo Kibati |
| 2. Erik Jenfrid - American | 2. Keneth Ndegwa Kamaitha |
| 3. James William - American | 3. EALA MP Suleiman Shahbal |
| 4. Emile Dutoit - South African | 4. George Kagunyi Njenga |
| 5. Kirsi Helena - Finsish | 5. Kenneth Namunje Onyango |
| 6. Thomas Gunner -Danish | 6. Simon Guyo Mwacharo |
| 7. Martin Smith - Danish | 7. Francis Koome Njogu |
| 8. Sakari Kangasemi - Finish | |
| 9. Omosuyi Omojole - Nigerian | |
| 10. Tshepo Mahlole - South African | |
| 11. Matheus Debaar - Dutch | |
| 12. Sipho Mukhubela - South African | |
| 13. Guido Hinrichs - German | |
| 14. Kasper Paardeko - Dutch | |
| 15. Rene Hampsink - Dutch |
The lawmakers noted that these directors hold board membership positions in Kenya Power and other firms.
In April 2023, Senate Committee on Energy grilled officials from Gulf Power Limited, Lake Turkana Wind Power, accusing them of taking advantage of the taxpayers' money.
How KPLC hike electricity bills
The national utility supplier has been on the spot over the years for raising power charges for Kenyans.
The auditor general report to the National Assembly Committee on Energy showed Kenya Power exaggerated electricity bills to consumers.
Auditor General Nancy Gathungu said up to 20% of the electricity that was not consumed and billed is not reflected in KPLC's systems.
PAY ATTENTION: Click “See First” under the “Following” tab to see TUKO News on your News Feed
