How CS Wandayi tackled nationwide power outages

*Energy CS Opiyo Wandayi during an interview at his office in Upper Hill on July 2 /DOUGLAS OKIDDY*

Energy CS Opiyo Wandayi has said his experience in politics and the private sector are helping him steer the country's energy policy.

The former Ugenya MP says his stint in the legislature, especially chairing the powerful Public Accounts Committee, prepared him to understand the government operations and its agencies.

Wandayi said his biggest test is ending frequent nationwide power outages and stabilising petroleum.

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“The transition from legislature to the executive was as exciting as it was a learning process,” he said.

“Though there is separation of powers between the two arms [executive and legislature], they work together on so many levels and crossing over to this side was not a struggle. As a three-term MP and lately being on the leadership of the National Assembly, understanding how every ministry works and how policy is crafted is a basic thing."

One year on, he says his biggest achievement is stabilising pump prices and ridding the country of the agony of power outages.

“When we came in a year ago, power outages were at embarrassing levels. In fact nationwide outages were becoming the norm, and it was a so personal for me because just a day after my homecoming, there was another incident. I decided that if I should fail in delivering anything, dealing with the nationwide outages is my top priority," the CS says.

PROGRESSIVE SOLUTIONS

And what were the causes of the power outages and what has he done to solve it?

“Most of our infrastructure have suffered years of neglect and underinvestment and they could not keep up with the surging demand. That is why they let up so frequently. But thanks to the resolute leadership of President William Ruto who is willing to make difficult decisions, we have been able to progressively update the systems and sustain investments to not only expand capacity but also broaden production volumes,” Wandayi says.

He says he is still keen on exploring opportunities for making investment to expanding the energy infrastructure.

The recent efforts included flopped attempts of having Adani Group invest in modernising transmission lines manned by Ketraco.

POWER PROJECTS

Some of energy production initiatives include two geothermal projects at Menengai, which he says will add some 35MW each to the national grid. He says the government is also upgrading Olkaria I which is supposed to add 63MW.

The deal is to ramp up production to ensure a healthy mix of power generation so that the peak demand is below the available supply, resulting into headroom or reserve margin that allows for a stable and reliable power supply.

“And not just stable supply, but also eventually lowering the cost of power because that is when you can attract investors and allow manufactures and industries expand and create jobs for our people.”

Wandayi’s mandate is broad as besides the power aspect, he is also keeping an eye on the pump prices.

“The pump prices were flying over the roof when we came in but right now, there is a stable margin. Of course we are aware of the factors that are beyond the control of the government but on the ones we can have influence over, we stand guard,” he said.

He attributes the stability to sustained contact and negotiations with oil dealers to ensure consumers are cushioned.

“The inflation was getting out of control and the stable and level headed stewardship of the President has captained us to this point, and you know that cost of energy and fuel is a key driver to inflation,” he said.

To manage the various agencies of the ministry, he said, he rallies the key leaders to work as team, focus on what must be done, ignore the side shows and mostly be on the field.

“I’m in this office just two or three days of the week and the rest of the time I spend in the grassroots where the work happens. I like to spend time with the consumers of energy on the ground, hear their problems and feedback and think together how we can solve them without blame. These movements are also crucial in explaining government policy,” he said.

“People claim that I talk too much politics and that I have changed. Not true. Everything is politics and we are alert to that fact. It is my duty to explain to the public what the government is doing, the policies and how they will affect their lives.”

“We have seen stablished food prices due to the pragmatic fertiliser policy, the SHA is stabilised and the education sector is getting streamlined. The inflation is also under control. We must tell our people these,” Wandayi says.