Ministry of Energy and governors have struck a deal over a Bill that had split the two levels of government apart.
Energy Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir and Council of Governors Transport and Energy Committee chair Kimani Wamatangi reached a compromise over a Bill which proposes several amendments to the Energy Act, 2019.
The Bill proposes to remove representatives of the Council of Governors at Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) and Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation (REREC) boards.
In his presentation to National Assembly’s Departmental Committee on Energy, Energy Principal Secretary Alex Wachira sought to convince MPs why CoG should not have representatives at the two boards.
At the EPRA board, governors currently have one representative. They have four representatives at the REREC board.
“REREC is funded by the national government fully yet governors have four representatives at the board while we have three. The agenda of REREC is still of the national government. It is important for the national government to have full control of the REREC and EPRA,” he explained.
Committee chair Vincent Kawaya said it would make more sense to reduce the number of representatives of the CoG rather than removing them entirely.
Wamatangi accused the national government of being mischievous with the amendments.
“What offence do existing provisions cause to warrant an amendment? What are they trying to cure with the amendment?” he posed.
“They are trying to eliminate counties in energy matters and remain with a playfield to do what they want.”
“It is true that they contribute 100 per cent but these resources belong to Kenyans.”
In the end, it was agreed that the number of government representatives in REREC be increased by one to four and that that of CoG be reduced by one.
The CoG’s representation in EPRA will remain one.
Also present at the meeting were Makueni governor Mutula Kilonzo and his Nandi counterpart Stephen Sang
