Ketraco acting CEO Kipkemoi Kibias has denied claims he manipulated or delayed the recruitment of the corporation's substantive chief executive to prolong his stay in office.
In a statement, he dismissed allegations he influenced the process for personal gain, saying the recruitment had instead been disrupted by court cases and governance challenges at the company's board.
Kibias said he had deliberately avoided engaging in the public debate surrounding the recruitment but felt compelled to set the record straight in the interest of transparency.
"I have taken note of recent media reports and public commentary regarding my role as acting managing director of Ketraco and the ongoing recruitment of the substantive managing director/chief executive officer," he said.
"While I have deliberately refrained from engaging in public debate, I believe it is important to clarify a few facts in the interest of accuracy and transparency."
He disclosed he did not submit an application when the position was re-advertised for a second time.
According to Kibias, by the time the vacancy was advertised again, the recruitment exercise had already become the subject of multiple court cases and intense public controversy.
He said he opted out of the race to safeguard his professional reputation and avoid creating any perception that he was pursuing the position while serving in an acting capacity.
"To protect my professional integrity and avoid any perception of conflict of interest, I made the personal decision not to participate in the second recruitment process," he said.
Kibias also rejected allegations he deliberately frustrated the process in order to continue serving as acting chief executive.
He termed the claims false and lacking any factual basis, insisting the recruitment process is governed by established legal and corporate governance procedures.
"The recruitment process is governed by established legal and corporate governance procedures, and I have at all times respected and supported those processes in my capacity as acting managing director," he said.
The acting CEO instead attributed the delay to ongoing litigation that affected the functioning of Ketraco's board.
He said court proceedings had impacted the board's quorum, making it impossible to conclude the recruitment within the anticipated timelines.
According to Kibias, those governance and legal developments were beyond his control.
"It is equally important to clarify that the recruitment process was affected by circumstances arising from ongoing court proceedings, which impacted the board's quorum and its ability to conclude the process within the anticipated timelines," he said.
The statement comes amid heightened public scrutiny over the delayed appointment of a substantive CEO at Ketraco.
The Public Service Commission on Wednesday issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Ketraco board to respond to a petition seeking Kibias’ removal.
PSC chief executive Paul Famba said the commission would proceed to act on the matter without further reference to the board after the period elapses.
Kibias was appointed as the Ketraco acting MD in September last year, taking over from John Mativo whose tenure ended midway his three-year term.
Mativo had taken over from Fernandes Barasa who joined politics and ascended to the seat of Kakamega governor. It has been 10 months since Mativo left.
Ketraco started the recruitment process to hire a substantive CEO but cancelled its initial advertisement, and called for second one amid threats of a lawsuit.
Ketraco board is currently having a quorum hitch after the Employment and Labour Relations Court barred three newly appointed members from assuming office.
The managing director has a central role at the state corporation responsible for planning, constructing and operating the country's high-voltage electricity transmission network.
Kibias maintained that throughout his tenure, his priority has been to provide stable leadership and ensure uninterrupted operations at the electricity transmission utility.
He said his responsibility had been to keep the organisation focused on delivering its mandate while respecting the legal processes governing the appointment of a substantive chief executive.
"Throughout my tenure as acting managing director, my focus has remained on providing stable leadership, ensuring continuity of Ketraco’s operations and serving the public interest with professionalism and integrity," he said.
He said he remains committed to supporting the completion of the recruitment process once the board is properly constituted and able to discharge its responsibilities.
"I remain fully committed to supporting the lawful conclusion of the recruitment process once the Board is duly constituted and able to discharge its mandate," Kibias said.
Ketraco is presently rolling out key projects under the public-private partnerships (PPP) model adopted by President William Ruto’s administration.
