EACC launches systems review of Kenya Power with aim to minimize chances for corruption

03:09:2024: The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission has launched a systems examination of the Kenya Power and Lighting Company (Kenya Power) to study, analyze, and determine systemic weaknesses and corruption loopholes and develop appropriate mitigation strategies.

The examination, which was requested by Kenya Power’s management, aims to change the company’s operating systems to minimize opportunities for corruption.

Launching the program today at Kenya Power’s headquarters in Parklands, Nairobi, EACC’s Vice Chair Dr Monica Wanjiru Muiru said the examination exercise was part of EACC’s preventive strategy and is intended to offer appropriate advice to Kenya Power’s Board and Management on the best ways to seal corruption loopholes and enhance good governance.

She expressed her confidence in the abilities of EACC’s appointed team to undertake the task professionally. She also thanked Kenya Power’s Management and Board of Directors for their faith in EACC to provide advice on corruption prevention. 

EACC Director for Preventive Services, Mr Vincent Okong’o said the study’s main purpose is to foster accountability at Kenya Power.

“The overall objective of this examination is to offer appropriate advice to the KPLC Management and Board of Directors on ways and means of promoting and sustaining transparency, accountability, and integrity through the application of sound systems of work that offer no room for corrupt practices,” Mr Okong’o said.

The review will also examine the systems, policies, procedures, and practices in KPLC’s operations, identify weaknesses, loopholes, avenues, and opportunities for corruption, and make recommendations on how to overcome the shortcomings and seal these avenues and opportunities for corruption.

The 35 working day review will include interviews with management and department and section heads, content analysis of files, circulars, memos, work plans, procedure manuals, books of accounts, annual financial statements, audit reports, minutes of various committees, and various internal and external correspondence. There will also be walk-through tests, observation of service delivery processes and procedures, and spot checks on sampled projects.

It will cover the technical and support functions at the headquarters and selected regional offices and stations. The team will also talk to key stakeholders in the energy sector, including the State Department of Energy, Energy Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA), Kenya Electricity Generating Company PLC (KenGen), Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation (REREC); and the Kenya Electricity Transmission Company Limited (KETRACO).

Acknowledging that the launch of Kenya Power’s systems review was in response to the company’s January 2024 request, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Kenya Power, Eng. Joseph Siror said that ethics and integrity stand at the core of their operations.

He said the company has already taken some measures to safeguard itself against unethical practices, including Corruption Prevention Committees, training of Ethics and anti-corruption champions, establishing the Ethics and Integrity Framework, and conducting bi-annual ethics risk assessments.

Eng. Albert Mugo, a member of the Kenya Power Board who represented the Board’s Chairperson, said EACC’s examination of the company’s systems is important as stakeholders, including customers, financiers, partners, the Government, and shareholders, expect them to uphold high standards of integrity in all aspects of their work.