A parliamentary investigation into Sh17.02 billion in electricity wayleave compensation payments is threatening to expose more than a decade of questionable decisions inside Kenya's energy sector.

The National Assembly's Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has widened its inquiry beyond current officials, summoning former Principal Secretaries, former accounting officers and past Kenya Electricity Transmission Company (KETRACO) chief executives to explain how billions of shillings were paid out between the 2010/11 and 2022/23 financial years.

Unlike many previous probes that focused on sitting officials, MPs have indicated they want every public officer who handled the projects over the 13-year period to account for decisions made under their watch.

The Names That Could Be Drawn Into the Probe

While Parliament has not yet published the final witness list, the period under review spans several administrations and leadership changes.

The investigation could involve former Energy Principal Secretaries who served during the audit period, including:

Joseph Njoroge

Eng. Alex Wachira (the current Principal Secretary, who has already appeared before the committee in relation to the audit period)

Other accounting officers who served during different phases of the projects.

On the KETRACO side, the inquiry is also expected to examine decisions made under successive Managing Directors and Chief Executive Officers, including:

Fernandes Barasa, who served as KETRACO Managing Director before resigning in 2022 to contest the Kakamega gubernatorial seat, which he won.

Dr. Eng. John Muoki Mativo, who took over in April 2023 and served until his abrupt dismissal on September 19, 2025. His removal came before the expiry of his initial three-year term, with the government offering no detailed public explanation for the decision.

Eng. Kipkemoi Kibias, who was appointed Acting Managing Director and CEO following Dr. Mativo's dismissal and currently leads the state corporation.

Although the audit period officially ends in the 2022/23 financial year, Parliament's inquiry into institutional accountability is expected to examine leadership transitions and governance at KETRACO, particularly where officials inherited or implemented decisions arising from projects initiated years earlier.

The committee has also indicated that a current governor is among those expected to appear because of a previous role in the energy sector, reinforcing its intention to trace accountability beyond current office holders.

The Bigger Question Is Why It Took 13 Years ¶

The projects under investigation include some of Kenya's largest electricity transmission investments:

Ethiopia–Kenya Transmission Line

Kenya–Tanzania Transmission Line

Kenya–Uganda Transmission Line

Kenya Power Transmission System Improvement Project

Turkwel–Ortum–Kitale Line

Olkaria–Lessos Line

Nairobi Ring Road Transmission Line

These multi-billion-shilling projects were financed largely by development partners to strengthen Kenya's electricity transmission network and regional power trade.

Yet despite years of implementation, the Special Audit Report found that Sh4.03 billion in compensation remains unpaid while questions persist over payments already made.

This Is Bigger Than Wayleave Payments ¶

Wayleave compensation exists to compensate landowners whose property is affected by electricity transmission lines.

The issue Parliament is investigating is whether:

Genuine landowners received compensation. Some beneficiaries were paid irregularly. Compensation amounts were inflated. Verification procedures were properly followed. Taxpayers obtained value for money.

These are questions that should have been answered years ago through strong internal controls—not after billions had already been committed.

A Familiar Pattern in Kenya's Infrastructure Projects ¶

The investigation highlights a recurring weakness in Kenya's public infrastructure programmes.

Billions of shillings are borrowed or allocated for flagship projects. Construction begins with great fanfare. Years later, Parliament commissions a forensic audit after concerns emerge over procurement, compensation or project implementation.

By then, key officials have retired, been transferred, moved into politics or left public service altogether.

Important records may be incomplete, institutional memory is lost and assigning responsibility becomes increasingly difficult.

The same pattern has been witnessed in roads, dams, health projects and now major electricity transmission infrastructure.

Accountability Must Cover Every Administration ¶

The temptation will be to reduce this investigation to one ministry or one administration.

But the audit period stretches from 2010/11 to 2022/23, covering the final years of President Mwai Kibaki's administration, the entire presidency of Uhuru Kenyatta and the beginning of President William Ruto's administration.

Similarly, KETRACO itself has had different boards, chief executives and accounting officers over that period.

If irregular payments occurred, accountability should follow the evidence—not political convenience or changes in office.

The PAC says its objective is to determine whether the compensation claims were genuine and whether Kenyans received value for the Sh17.02 billion spent.

For taxpayers, however, the more important question is whether this inquiry will finally result in individual accountability—or become another parliamentary report documenting failures long after billions of shillings have already left the public purse.