The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission has backed the extension of the term for chief executive of the Rural Electrification and Energy Corporation (REREC) in office following complaints that the contract extension is irregular.
EACC said they did not find any irregularities in offering Peter Mbugua another three terms in office as the CEO of the state agency.
Earlier REREC chairman Simon Gitau had requested EACC to probe steps that led to an extension of the CEO’S contract that came to an end in December 9, 2020.
REREC board had been accused of favoring Mbugua following his failure to open up positions to other candidates.
REREC can now hire 230 employees and endorse the re-appointment of Mbugua as the CEO.
The was hived off from Kenya Power and has not had a smooth CEO transition with its first CEO Zachary Ayieko resigning after a fall out with the board back in 20I3. He was succeeded by Ng’ang’a Munyu who was outstared in 20I7 and replaced by Mbugua.
REREC was accused of practicing nepotism and increasing its staff count without a budget and breach of law while appointing the 230 employees.
The change in the Energy act increased REREC mandates like dealing with county governments to deepen electricity connection, fundraising, research and developing of a master plan for Kenya’s renewable energy that prompted the hiring of hundreds of workers.
