EDITORIAL: Kenya Power Probe and Streamline the Industry

Kenya Power has been under the spotlight about high electricity bills and irregular supply. Yet this fits into the context of the remarkable achievement of the expansion of the power supply that has seen many households connected to the national grid as part of the Last Mile initiative.

For good measure, as part of the package, connection fees have been significantly reduced and consumer bills made available to ensure broad access to electricity.

Although prices have stabilized since then, consumers have not been informed. leaving the case to speculation.

A common narrative, however, was that the electricity company was aggressively seeking money to fill the gaps arising from inexplicable expenses.

The jury is still on it.

Now, reports have emerged about questionable transactions in Kenya Power that raise questions about its financial probity.

The company has procured faulty transformers and installed them for consumers, putting them at risk of power outages.

So much money has been spent on unusable items, and that 's a big loss.

Although there is no direct link between the purchase of faulty transformers and high power bills, all this calls into question the prudence in the management of public funds.

We are concerned that the company has had to burn their fingers to process, which matters requires a thorough investigation.

The company has to explain to the public how its money was used to buy defective gadgets. In any way, this amounts to financial irregularity, for which punitive measures must be taken against those who are guilty.

The report highlights relevant questions about Kenya Power. What are the processes used to purchase equipment at the company?

What are the safety rules that guide these purchases? Why should the company expose consumers to risks by installing substandard transformers?

In all of this, we argue that things are not going well in the electricity business, which concerns us all. It is not lost for anyone that in recent days the public has been facing drama on the cost of electricity.

At the beginning, there was a statement that the bills would be reduced as the regulator. The authority, asked the lifting of some tariffs.

Barely a few days later, the air changed, and we were told to wait for higher bills. All this indicates poor management of the energy sector.

For the moment, the authorities must conduct a thorough investigation of the operation of the transformer and take the necessary measures.

In the long run, however, the energy sector should be streamlined to ensure a secure, reliable and affordable electricity supply throughout the country.