Kenya Power picks insider as CEO yet again, keeping 36-year rule

Business Reporter

Nation Media Group

Kenya Power has once again locked out outsiders from its top job after the utility monopoly promoted Bernard Ngugi to be the new CEO.

Mr Ngugi, previously in charge of supply chain, takes over from Ken Tarus who was kicked out in July after being charged with conspiring to commit an economic crime and abuse of office. Before Mr Ngugi's appointment, Jared Othieno had been the acting chief executive since July 16.

Mr Maalim refused to disclose either the number of outsiders that had applied for the position or those shortlisted for the position that has become volatile in recent years. Yesterday, the company announced a public search for nine general managers to fill a vacuum left by executives who were charged in court alongside Mr Tarus and his predecessor, Ben Chumo. Mr Tarus and the other executives are accused of entering into a contract with a private firm for the supply of transformers, which turned out to be faulty. Prosecutors argue that this deal also flouted procurement rules for State entities. The suit is still ongoing but Kenya Power offered the affected managers an exit package running into billions of shillings to allow the firm make fresh hirings. Mr Ngugi, who has worked at Kenya Power for over 30 years, said yesterday that his main priority would be to return the firm to profit growth.