‘We Will Involve Kenyans At Every Stage!’ – CS Wandayi Promises After New Power Deal
Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi has stated that the government intends to engage the people in the new people-Private Partnership (PPP) with infrastructure company Africa50 for new electricity lines.
Wandayi told the National Assembly Energy Committee on Tuesday morning that aggressive public engagement was part of the plan to avoid a backlash similar to the one seen against the Adani projects.
Wandayi, who testified after committee members inquired about the new power arrangement, stated that the public-private agreement with Africa50 included the building of two power lines.
The CS highlighted that the private company has already begun discussions with the government on building an electricity line from Kisumu to Kakamega and another from Lessos to Loosuk in Nandi County.
Joined CS @OpiyoWandayi and CEOs from the Ministry in a meeting with the Departmental Committee on Energy, chaired by Hon. (Eng) Vincent Musyoka (MP, Mwala Constituency), to present and defend the Budget Policy Statement (BPS) for the Financial Year 2024/2025.
— PS Energy – Alex Wachira (@AlexKWachira) February 25, 2025
Our discussions… pic.twitter.com/p71ISw3hQx
According to Wandayi, the ministry will soon begin extensive public engagement at each stage of the electricity project to ensure Kenyans understand the terms of the new deal.
“The public out there will want to be involved or informed at every stage, so what we have decided to do is to be more accommodating of public views by proactively going out to explain what we are doing,” Wandayi said.
“We have chosen to be more transparent and elaborate. We are currently on a PPP project with Africa50 that will help us with two major transmission line projects, namely the Lessos and Kisumu-Kakamega lines,” he added.
However, Wandayi noted that, despite promises for dynamic public interaction, there is yet no clear model for how public participation will be carried out across the country.
Energy CS Opiyo Wandayi, PS Alex Wachira and stakeholders before the National Assembly's Committee on Energy Chaired by Vincent Musyoka to consider the 2025/26 Budget Policy Statement at Continental House, Parliament, Nairobi on February 25th, 2025
— The Standard Digital (@StandardKenya) February 25, 2025
Pictures by Elvis Ogina pic.twitter.com/pVUfTLAlFI
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Wandayi further stated that the Ministry would heavily rely on Parliament to ensure the agreement is acquired in accordance with the Constitution and to prevent the project, which is still in its early phases, from generating lawsuits.
“Even though, from the PPP Act itself, the extent of public participation is not clear, and given how the courts have pronounced themselves before, we shall be relying on Parliament and this committee to work with us as we move along,” the Energy Minister stated.
Meanwhile, Wandayi’s revelation comes only a week after Kenya Electricity Transmission Company (KETRACO) said that it was in the final stages of negotiating a Ksh45 billion power contract with Africa50.
The latest announcement comes months after Kenya halted two privately launched agreements with Indian behemoth Adani Group, including a power transaction, following a public outcry.
‘We Will Involve Kenyans At Every Stage!’ – CS Wandayi Promises After New Power Deal
