This archive report was first published on 8 October 2021.
On October 7, 2021, Interior CS Fred Matiang'i declared the Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) a special government project in response to the ongoing electricity crisis.
"Our bills are unsustainable as they are today. We cannot continue this way," Matiang'i said during a crisis meeting with Kenya Power management and staff.
As part of the reforms, an inter-ministerial team will be set up to audit the parastatal and oversee urgent changes. A multi-agency team will also be assembled to investigate system losses.
"We are going to do a forensic audit of some of our systems and procedures. We are working jointly at an inter-ministerial level to reduce the system losses including the theft of power. We will address all challenges that result in passing unnecessary costs to consumers," Matiang'i said.
The government has ordered a review of existing power purchase agreements (PPAs) to lower the cost of electricity. Matiang'i also announced that a meeting of all state agencies in the energy sector will be convened urgently to synergize and align the country's demand-vs-supply needs.
He assured that fuel prices will drop in the next maximum pump price review by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority, set for the following week.
