The Last Mile Project by Kenya Power and Lighting funded by the World Bank is said to be in trouble as hungry power barons based at State House scheme to make a kill for their own personal gains.
Energy principal secretary Alex Wachira who failed to clinch the UDA ticket during the 2022 party Brime landing the PS position courtesy of Rigathi Gachagua, had raised extortion issues with Gachagua.
Wachira is alleged to have been Gachagua’s spy at the Energy ministry. Wachira using Gachagua’s government of shareholders had Peter Njenga named Kengen managing director.
Wachira is among Gachagua allies who have been raising funds to secretly fund his legal activities in the corridors of justice.
Others are Nyeri banker William Ndumia. Gachagua had also managed to have his lineup that carried Kenya Tea Development Agency polls as part of his strategy to network across the country, using farmers and cooperatives.
In the elections, Enos Njeru, was reelected chairman with Erick Chepkony as deputy chairman.
Six KTDA directors boycotted the chairmanship vote, citing interference by the ministry of Agriculture, Tea Board of Kenya.
The election, which lasted less than two hours behind closed doors at Pride Inn Hotel Shanzu, was witnessed by Agriculture and Livestock cabinet secretary Andrew Karanja and Kenya Tea Board officials.
Back to Kenya Power tenders, informed sources say Wachira had briefed Gachagua how William Ruto allies were minting money in the Energy sector using Kenya Power projects.
This, it is said, informed Gachagua’s opposition to the controversial Adani associated companies deals with the Kenya Kwanza government.
Wachira joined the State Department for Energy from the private sector where he worked as an investment banker.
The Kenya Power projects were unusually, signed at State House As soon as witnessed by Ruto. As soon as the signing of contracts was over, John Ngeno the procurement manager at Kenya Power and his cartel swang into action demanding cool Sh10million as facilitation fee from those lucky to have won tenders.
The first victim was Chinese contractor and his local contractor chai Wayne subcontractors.
The representative of the Chinese was held captive until when the Chinese embassy took action. The local partner undertook to pay the money. The other contractors are still are still in trouble. Ng’eno has threatened to get their money through Sidian Bank.
Why Sidian Bank?
The extortionist devised a scheme of forcing the 36 contractors to take bank guarantees through Sidian Bank with a collection account.
The donors and Central Bank were informed of this arrangement but they could not unearth the conspiracy.
Ngeno and Joseph Siror, the managing director and chief executive officer are linked to the scandal. Ngeno is well known in Nairobi for his drinking habits. When having taken more than enough, he gets violent and boasts to have an affair with Logan Christi Hammbrick, a drinking buddy who is also non-executive director at Kenya Power board of directors.
They frequent a social joint neighboring State House.
Below is the list of firms the extortionists have targeted.
AFD/EU successful bidders
LOT 1- Baran Exhenb,
LOT 2- Master Power and Philafe
LOT 3- Power China Huibei, LOT 4- Shaanxi Water Resources
LOT 5. Shaanxi Water Resources,
LOT 6- East India Uduong,
LOT 7- Shiva Chetana and polyphase
LOT 8- East India Uduong
LOT 9- KB Shangani
LOT 10- Elmech
LOT 11- E-tradE
LOT 12- Meru Woods
LOT 13- Meru Woods
LOT 14- Hypertech Electricals
LOT 15- Power China Huibei
LOT 16- KB Shangani
LOT 17- Nyikaland
EIB successful bidders
LOT 1- Sinotec
LOT 2- Shine Technologies
LOT 3- CCC
LOT 4- Shine Technologies
LOT 5- CCC
LOT 6- Sinotec
LOT 7- Power China Huibei
LOT 8- East India Uduong
LOT 9- Power China Huibei
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