Wandayi promises to lower cost of power on the first day in the office

The unbearable cost of electricity facing Kenyans is the focus of new Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi who officially got into the office on Wednesday.

Wandayi who acknowledged that his task is cut out said his focus will be to lower the cost of electricity, which he termed as unbearable for a majority of Kenyans.

In his inaugural speech after taking over the office from his predecessor Davis Chirchir, who has been moved to the Ministry of Roads and Transport, the CS said that he would work with all stakeholders to streamline the sector.

According to the elated Wandayi, he plans to engage exhaustively with Kenya Power on how to cut the system losses from 23 per cent to at most 15 per cent.

"Once we do that, which I'm sure in the fullness of time we will, the cost of electricity will be bearable, and we must also understand that the cost of electricity and petroleum products is contributed by very many factors," said Wandayi.

The CS claimed that he is coming in with a fresh problem-solving approach for all the staff, stakeholders, and consumers.

In his yet-to-be-implemented plans of working towards affordable, sustainable, clean, and reliable energy services, transparency would be a non-negotiable matter.

"We want to inculcate a culture and spirit of openness and transparency in the management of our ministry affairs. We want to take the ministry as it was to the people."

Today, in a formal handover ceremony at the Ministry of Energy, Kawi Complex, Nairobi, the outgoing Cabinet Secretary, Mr. Davis Chirchir, officially handed over to the newly appointed Cabinet Secretary, Hon. Opiyo Wandayi. pic.twitter.com/QNBwRNmZqf

— The Kenya Power & Lighting Company Plc. (@KenyaPower) August 14, 2024

Wandayi went further to remind stakeholders in the sector of the importance of engagement with the public in running the ministry, as well as gaining the trust of the people.

"I will establish a regular engagement programme with our customers, what I call the CS roundtable with consumers every two months to be able to interact and get feedback from the public."

The CS is also in top gears to strengthen communication in the ministry in a move that will allow the public to know what is happening.

On his part, Chirchir assured his successor of immense support in the Ministry which is always on the spot following power blackouts and power rationings to Kenyans.

The outgoing Ugunja MP and former top official in Raila Odinga's Orange Democratic Movement (ODM)Party joined Cabinet after President William Ruto formed a broad-based government in the wake of youth-led anti-government protests, a move that saw five CSs from the opposition side being appointed to various positions.

The ceremony to welcome Wandayi in his new office was attended by the Chairperson of the board of the National Oil Corporation of Kenya, Kiraitu Murungi, Board of Directors for the Energy Chairperson, Jackton Ojwang, Managing Director of Kenya Pipeline Company, Joe Sang among others.