Since taking the helm of Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) in August 2023, Peter Njenga has been on a mission to steer the company toward a future of clean, reliable, and affordable energy. As a staunch Christian, his leadership is deeply rooted in faith, drawing inspiration from Proverbs 18:10: “The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.”
Under Njenga’s leadership, KenGen continues to be the backbone of Kenya’s energy sector, accounting for 60 percent of the country’s power generation. With a strong focus on sustainability, the company is committed to increasing its capacity to help Kenya achieve its ambitious target of 15,000MW of primarily green energy by 2032. Currently, KenGen has an installed generation capacity of 1,725MW, with over 93 percent derived from renewable sources, including hydro (826MW), geothermal (754MW), and wind (25.5MW).
Njenga is already seeing positive results from the company’s strategic plan unveiled in 2023. Last week, KenGen reported a 79 percent surge in net earnings to Sh5.3 billion. However, instead of distributing the profits as dividends, the company is reinvesting the funds into future expansion, ensuring long-term growth and shareholder value.
One of Njenga’s key commitments for the next two years is delivering an additional 194MW of power, an investment estimated at Sh87.6 billion. Projects in the pipeline include the rehabilitation of the Olkaria I power plant, expected to increase its capacity from 45MW to 63MW by 2025. Other initiatives include a 42.5MW solar plant, expanding the Gogo Hydro project from 2MW to 8.6MW, and targeting 60MW from the Muhoroni power plant by April 2025.
KenGen is also spearheading Kenya’s first 100MW battery energy storage project, an Sh8.8 billion initiative funded by the French Development Agency. The project, set to be installed at the Seven Forks site in Eastern Kenya, will store excess solar energy during the day and release it in the evening to improve grid stability and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
Beyond power generation, Njenga is leading KenGen’s diversification strategy by offering geothermal exploration services to Zambia, Eswatini, Djibouti, and Ethiopia. This initiative is projected to generate an additional $2 billion for the company over the next decade, further enhancing Kenya’s role as a leader in sustainable energy.
Njenga remains optimistic about KenGen’s future, emphasizing the need to explore new geothermal sites beyond Olkaria. He acknowledges the dedication of his team and key stakeholders, including the Ministry of Energy, the Kenya Electricity Transmission Company (KETRACO), and Kenya Power.
As he balances his professional responsibilities with his faith and family, Njenga is unwavering in his mission to power Kenya’s future with sustainable energy solutions.
