KENYA – Kenya’s electricity distributor, Kenya Power, has appointed Bernard Ngugi to head the company as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer.
Ngugi is the former General Manager in charge of Supply Chain at Kenya Power.
He takes over from Eng. Jared Othieno who had been appointed Acting Managing Director and CEO in July 2018 following the exit of the former management team.
“We believe that Mr Ngugi will see the Company through an important stage of its development and growth as we work to diligently implement all our plans to strengthen the Company and the commercial aspects of our business,” said Kenya Power’s Chairman Amb (Eng) Mahboub Maalim.
The position fell vacant after Ben Chumo’s three-year reign as CEO ended in January 2017 after his bid for a second three-year term was thwarted through a court order which barred Kenya Power from renewing his tenure at the company.
The utility company appointed a caretaker management team last year, which included Jared Othieno as acting chief executive after Othieno’s predecessors Ken Tarus, Ben Chumo and other company officials were arrested and charged over alleged irregular procurement for supply of transformers.
The company recently extended the caretaker management team’s tenure by four months pending restructuring of top management.
“I’d like to thank Othieno and his team for steering the company in the direction that it did and for a job well done,” Mohammed said.
Commenting on his new appointment, Ngugi promised to steer the company towards profitability.
“My immediate focus is to lead the Company towards improved profitability while ensuring the business fulfils its socio-economic purpose. This will be achieved by implementing our 5 Year Strategic Plan that broadly aims at delivering excellent customer service and ensuring our business sustainability,” Ngugi said.
Ngugi has over 30 years’ experience in the Company with expertise in financial and revenue accounting, internal audit and supply chain management. He holds a Master of Business Administration in Finance and Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting.
He is a Certified Public Accountant of Kenya and a member of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya. He is also a Certified Public Secretary of Kenya and a member of the Institute of Certified Public Secretaries of Kenya.
Hel also holds a Graduate Diploma from the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supplies and is a member of the Kenya Institute of Supplies Management.