Kenya Power MD Siror Skips MPs’ Summons: A Crisis of Accountability

Kenya Power Managing Director Joseph Siror failed to appear before the National Assembly Committee on Energy on Thursday. The Committee, led by Chairperson Vincent Musyoka, had summoned Siror to address pressing issues surrounding the high electricity bills plaguing consumers and the prolonged power shortages in Mukuru kwa Njenga, Embakasi South Constituency.

The Committee’s decision to adjourn the session reflects growing frustration over Kenya Power’s management and its impact on the everyday lives of Kenyans. Siror’s absence has heightened concerns about the lack of accountability and transparency within the energy sector, particularly regarding the criteria used to determine electricity charges and the long-standing power outages in certain areas.

Vincent Musyoka, who also serves as the Member of Parliament for Mwala, emphasized the importance of public officers being accountable for their roles. “This committee has the responsibility of protecting the public interest through oversight. We therefore need the MD to appear before us and answer to questions relating to his docket,” Musyoka stated. His remarks underscore the Committee’s commitment to ensuring that Kenya Power operates with greater transparency and efficiency.

The issues surrounding Kenya Power are not new. In August of the previous year, Auditor General Nancy Gathungu revealed alarming discrepancies in power billing. Gathungu’s audit uncovered that Kenya Power had overcharged Kenyans by up to 20 percent for electricity they did not use. The audit highlighted significant problems with faulty check meters and discrepancies between main and check meters. Check meters, designed to verify the accuracy of main meters, were found to be inadequate, with only 39 percent of generation plants supplying power to Kenya Power equipped with them. Gathungu’s report suggested that almost 20 percent of consumer bills could not be matched to actual consumption, nor could the distribution company attribute these discrepancies to specific consumers.

The situation in Mukuru kwa Njenga further exacerbates the public’s frustration. The area has faced a severe power supply issue for nearly three years, leaving residents without reliable electricity. This long-term power shortage has not only disrupted daily life but also hindered economic activities in the region. The Committee’s expectation for Siror to provide solutions to this issue remains unmet, adding to the mounting dissatisfaction among consumers and policymakers alike.

Siror’s no-show has fueled suspicions about the management practices at Kenya Power and the extent of their commitment to resolving the electricity crisis. The lack of a clear response or action plan from the Managing Director raises serious questions about the company’s accountability mechanisms and its readiness to address systemic issues within the sector.

As the Committee on Energy seeks to hold Kenya Power accountable, the absence of its MD highlights a critical gap in governance and oversight. The public’s trust in Kenya Power’s ability to provide reliable and fairly priced electricity is eroding, and Siror’s failure to address these concerns may further damage the company’s reputation.

In conclusion, the ongoing challenges with Kenya Power reflect broader issues of transparency and accountability in Kenya’s public sector. The National Assembly Committee on Energy’s role in demanding answers and enforcing accountability is crucial in restoring public confidence and ensuring that the energy sector serves the needs of all Kenyans effectively. As this situation unfolds, the hope is that Kenya Power will take proactive steps to address these concerns and demonstrate a commitment to improving its service and management practices.