Kipkemoi Kibias, the acting CEO of Kenya Electricity Transmission Company (Ketraco), has dismissed allegations that he manipulated or delayed the appointment of a substantive chief executive officer to extend his tenure.
In a detailed statement, Kibias emphasized that the recruitment process has been hampered by ongoing court cases and governance challenges affecting the company’s board, rather than any personal interference on his part.
Reasons Behind Recruitment Delays
- Kibias revealed he did not apply for the CEO position when it was re-advertised, choosing to protect his professional integrity and avoid conflicts of interest.
- The recruitment process has faced multiple legal challenges, including court rulings that have affected the board's quorum, thereby stalling the finalisation of the appointment.
- He asserted that the recruitment follows established legal and governance protocols, which he has respected throughout his acting tenure.
Context and Current Developments
- Kibias took over as acting CEO in September last year after the departure of John Mativo, who himself had succeeded Fernandes Barasa.
- The Public Service Commission recently issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Ketraco board to respond to a petition seeking Kibias’ removal, with potential action to follow.
- The board’s functionality is currently impaired due to a court decision barring three newly appointed members from assuming office, contributing to the recruitment delays.
Kibias underscored his commitment to maintaining stable leadership and uninterrupted operations at Ketraco, which is responsible for the country’s high-voltage electricity transmission network. He expressed readiness to support the completion of the CEO recruitment once the board is fully constituted and able to perform its duties.
Meanwhile, Ketraco continues to implement key infrastructure projects under the public-private partnership framework promoted by President William Ruto’s administration.
