Energy sector hiring pattern back in spotlight as ERC picks new chief
Joe Ng’ang’a has replaced Kaburu Mwirichia (pictured) who exited the Energy Regulatory Commission top job in August 2013. PHOTO | FILE
What you need to know:
Joe Ng’ang’a was early this month appointed director general of the energy regulator following a recruitment exercise that saw the top candidate decline the post.
He joins the long list of the chief executives who hail from President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto’s home turf, bringing into sharp focus the constitutional requirements on ethnic balance in appointments.
The Energy Regulatory Commission has a new boss 13 months after the seat fell vacant in a change that will raise questions of regional balance on the hiring of top executives of power sector parastatals.
Joe Ng’ang’a was early this month appointed director general of the energy regulator following a recruitment exercise that saw the top candidate decline the post.
Mr Ng’ang’a served as director in charge of electricity at the ERC since 2010 and deputy managing director at Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) in the five years to 2008.
He joins the long list of the chief executives who hail from President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto’s home turf, bringing into sharp focus the constitutional requirements on ethnic balance in appointments.
KenGen appointed Simon Ngure in June to replace Eddy Njoroge while the Rural Electrification Authority (REA) in July replaced Zachary Ayieko with Ng’ang’a Munyu. Both appointees have roots in central Kenya.
The Rift Valley has benefited with the appointments of Ben Chumo and Charles Tanui at Kenya Power and Kenya Pipeline Corporation respectively following the exit of Joseph Njoroge and Selest Kilinda.
The two populous regions voted overwhelmingly for President Kenyatta’s Jubilee Coalition in the March 4 General Election. Mr Kenyatta appointed the Energy Cabinet secretary and PS from Rift Valley and Central.
Mr Chirchir is the Cabinet Secretary while Mr Njoroge, who served as Kenya Power chief executive since 2007, was appointed Energy PS.
Former Kenya Power company secretary Ms Laurencia Njagi emerged top in the race to replace Mr Kaburu Mwirichia who exited the ERC top job in August last year, but declined the position after landing a job with the World Bank.
Mr Ng’ang’a was second ahead of Mr Joel Imitira, who was manager at the Communications Authority of Kenya at the time of the interviews.
Dr Frederick Nyang’, a power economist and ERC’s director for economic regulation, had been acting director-general since the departure of Mr Mwirichia.
