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Rural electrification chief is fifth energy sector CEO to exit
Zachary Ayieko chose not to renew his contract, which was expiring in August 2013, as CEO at the Rural Electrification Authority. Photo/FILE
The high CEO turnover that has hit State-owned firms in the energy sector has worsened with the exit of Rural Electrification Authority’s top executive.
The authority Wednesday announced that Zachary Ayieko had quit the firm, making him the fifth top executive in the energy sector to leave the corner office, after Eddy Njoroge (KenGen), Joseph Njoroge (Kenya Power), Selest Kilinda (Kenya Pipeline) and Kaburu Mwirichia (Energy Regulatory Commission).
The executive changes will give Davis Chirchir, the Energy Cabinet secretary, an opportunity to appoint preferred managers to shepherd the cash-rich firms as the balance of power shifts in Kenya’s energy sector.
The Rural Electrification Authority (REA) Wednesday said in a statement that Mr Ayieko, 58, opted not to seek a fresh term after a five-year stint. He was the the firm’s first CEO after it was hived from Kenya Power in 2007.
Mr Ayieko has been replaced in an interim capacity by Ng’ang’a Munyu, currently the head of corporate planning at REA, meaning that the four State-owned firms are now led by acting CEOs.
“The acting CEO will commence his duties on July 2, 2013 as the Authority embarks on the process to recruit a substantive CEO,” said REA in a statement attributed to the board.
“Mr Ng’ang’a Munyu was appointed following the board’s acceptance of Mr Ayieko’s decision not to renew his contract. Mr Ayieko’s contract is set to expire on 30th August 2013.”
Before his appointment at REA, Mr Ayieko served as the CEO of Kenya Power, which he joined in 1979 and rose through the ranks until his appointed to the top job in 2006. He was replaced in 2007 by Mr Njoroge.
The change in REA’s executive suite comes as the authority steps up connection of rural Kenya to the national grid.
Mr Njoroge of Kenya Power quit after he was appointed the principal secretary in the Energy and Petroleum ministry.
The top jobs in the four parastatals are the most coveted among State-owned firms given that they control multi-billion shilling contracts.
The government has over the years set up independent State corporations to play specific roles in the energy system in a bid to increase efficiency.
