Kenya Power blame Energy Ministry for the Sh785million overpayment
Kenya Power has shifted blame of the controversial overpayment of Sh785 million made to Lake Turkana Wind Power to her parent ministry, the Ministry of Energy.
Chief Executive Officer Rosemary Oduor told the National Assembly Public Investment Committee yesterday that LTWP was hired by the Energy Ministry.
Oduor suggested that the ministry provide the firm with the correct account information so that the excess payment is refunded.
“The money was owed to the Ministry of Energy.” Consultation took place between the energy ministry and Kenya Power. “The ministry has the correct bank information,” she told the committee.
LWTP has been requesting the correct bank account for the past year.
The lawmakers, on the other hand, chastised Oduor for taking a year to respond to a letter from the power company requesting the correct bank account.
According to the documents before the committee, LWTP wrote to Kenya Power in december 2020, but the utility firm did not respond until November 8, 2021.
Despite taking nearly a year to respond, Kenya Power still provided the incorrect account, and the money was returned as a result.
On January 18, this year, the firm wrote to Kenya Power once more, this time requesting the correct account information.
The power distribution company responded on January 27 but did not provide the requested information.
“The indication was that more details were needed to complete the transaction,” she explained.
Mp Mary Wamamu of Maragua questioned why Kenya Power would provide an account that does not exist.
“How much does it cost to find the phone number?” How could you have given a non-existent account? “Who is benefiting from the money’s interest?” Wamaua inquired.
Kaloleni MP Paul Katana stated that they would not give up their search for the people behind the excess payment.
“Sh700 million is not chump change.” “We’d like to find out who’s behind this,” he said.
The committee is investigating whether some rogue officials at the ministry and Kenya Power purposefully gave the wrong account to benefit from accrued interest.
When the utility officials appear again on February 16, it wants Kenya Power to name the individuals who are delaying payment.
The lawmakers also want to know who drafted the original power purchase agreement between Kenya Power and LWTP.
Odour pleaded with the committee to give her more time to enrage Ketraco because they now share some functions in contract drafting.
