On April 14, 2022, Acting Energy Cabinet Secretary Dr. Monica Juma appointed six new directors to serve on the Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation (Rerec) board for three years.
The appointees include Hassan Sora, Roda Njuguna, Samson Maundu, Isaac Mbeche, Hassan Haji, and Henry Rono.
However, the Council of Governors (CoG) has expressed concerns over the appointments, terming them irregular and a deliberate attempt to exclude the council from being represented on the Rerec board.
CoG Chairman and Embu Governor Martin Wambora called for the immediate appointment of four representatives of county governments to the Rerec board, as stipulated by the Energy Act of 2019.
Wambora also requested the official appointment of the CoG representative to the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (Epra) through a gazette notice.
Failure to comply with these demands, the CoG threatened to move to court.
Wambora stated in a letter dated April 27, 2022, addressed to Dr. Juma, that the appointments were irregular and negated the laws that stipulate the inclusion of four members appointed by the Council of Governors on the Rerec board.
The Energy Act of 2019 gives the CoG the right to appoint four members to the board, and the council is concerned that the exclusion of its representation would give the CS sweeping power to control the Rerec.
Under the 2019 Energy Act, Rerec was to work closely with county governments and the National Government Constituency Development Fund to widen electricity connection to rural areas through sharing of the cost.
The CoG is also aware of the Statute Miscellaneous (Amendment) Bill 2022 that purports to amend the Energy Act to remove council representation to the Rerec board and the Energy and Petroleum board and replace them with Kenya Power and Lighting Company representatives.
The council is against these proposals, as they contradict the spirit of Article 189 and the Fourth Schedule of the Constitution, which emphasizes devolution of power and sharing of resources as well as the participation of the people.
