Leadership Shake-Up at KETRACO: John Mativo Sacked and Kipkemoi Kibias Steps In

 By   Justin Kirangacha | The Common Pulse/latest news/Ukraine/ Kenya/Abroad/Africa / September 2025.

The world of energy and infrastructure in Kenya has never been short of drama, power struggles, and rapid leadership changes. Today, another major development hit the headlines when news broke that Dr. John Mativo, the Managing Director of the Kenya Electricity Transmission Company Limited (KETRACO), had been relieved of his duties. In his place, the government has appointed Kipkemoi Kibias in an acting capacity. The announcement has stirred both intrigue and debate across Kenya’s energy sector, political circles, and the broader public, given the critical role KETRACO plays in the stability and growth of the national grid.

This leadership shake-up raises questions about governance, accountability, political influence, and the future of Kenya’s power transmission projects. With the country heavily reliant on KETRACO’s work to expand electricity access and modernize infrastructure, the sacking of a sitting MD is not just a corporate reshuffle, it is a national issue that carries consequences for energy security, investor confidence, and development priorities.

The Significance of KETRACO in Kenya’s Energy Sector

KETRACO is not a small player. As a state corporation established in 2008, its mandate is to design, construct, operate, and maintain high-voltage electricity transmission infrastructure across Kenya and to interconnect with neighboring countries. It serves as the backbone of Kenya’s electricity supply system, ensuring that power generated from diverse sources, hydropower, geothermal, wind, solar, and thermal, is delivered efficiently to industries, homes, and businesses.

With over 5,000 kilometers of transmission lines already constructed and more in the pipeline, KETRACO has been at the center of Kenya’s ambitions to achieve reliable, affordable, and sustainable electricity. Any leadership change, therefore, reverberates through every corner of the economy, from the manufacturing sector dependent on stable power to rural electrification projects that drive social inclusion. The removal of John Mativo is not just a personnel issue, it is a disruption in the helm of an institution tasked with carrying Kenya’s energy dreams forward.

Why the Sacking of John Mativo Matters

Dr. Mativo’s dismissal is being viewed through multiple lenses. On the one hand, government reshuffles in parastatals are not uncommon in Kenya. They often signal a desire to inject new energy, address underperformance, or align state corporations with shifting political and policy priorities. On the other hand, the sudden nature of Mativo’s exit raises suspicions of deeper reasons.

Mativo, a career engineer, had been instrumental in pushing forward several transmission projects, including cross-border interconnectors linking Kenya to Ethiopia, Tanzania, and Uganda. His supporters argue that he was a technocrat with vision, while his critics point to delays, cost overruns, and allegations of mismanagement within KETRACO. In a political environment where state corporations are often under pressure from vested interests, his removal might also signal dissatisfaction at higher political levels.

What cannot be ignored is that the decision comes at a time when Kenya is grappling with frequent power outages, rising electricity costs, and public frustration over unreliable supply. The symbolism of removing the head of the transmission agency in the midst of such challenges is powerful, it suggests accountability but also fuels speculation about whether Mativo is being used as a scapegoat for systemic issues that run deeper than one individual’s.

Who is Kipkemoi Kibias, the Acting Boss?

Into this vacuum steps Kipkemoi Kibias, appointed as acting Managing Director. While less known to the general public, Kibias is a seasoned professional within Kenya’s energy and infrastructure circles. His appointment is designed to ensure continuity while the government decides on a permanent successor.

The immediate question is whether Kibias will be a caretaker leader simply holding the fort or whether he will seize the opportunity to chart a new direction. Acting appointments in Kenya often carry both uncertainty and opportunity, they can signal a trial phase where the government watches performance closely, or they can be placeholders while political negotiations unfold behind the scenes.

Kibias inherits an organization under immense pressure. He will have to reassure employees, stakeholders, and the public that KETRACO remains committed to its projects. At the same time, he will be under scrutiny to deliver results quickly, especially as Kenya prepares for ambitious infrastructure expansions, such as the Konza Techno City power needs and integration of new renewable energy sources.

Political Underpinnings of the Shake-Up

It is impossible to separate leadership changes in major state corporations from politics. Energy, being one of the most strategic sectors in Kenya, has always attracted political maneuvering. KETRACO controls multi-billion-shilling contracts, land compensation processes, and procurement systems that naturally draw interest from political elites and business cartels.

The removal of John Mativo could be read in the context of shifting alliances within government. Whenever a top parastatal head is sacked, questions arise about whether they fell out of favor with powerful figures, whether they resisted certain pressures, or whether they became entangled in controversies that could not be ignored. In Kenya’s political economy, such decisions are rarely neutral.

Moreover, the timing is noteworthy. With Kenya navigating high electricity tariffs, mounting public anger over bills, and debates about the role of Independent Power Producers (IPPs), the government may want to demonstrate decisive action. By removing Mativo and installing Kibias, the administration signals that it is serious about reforming the sector, though critics might dismiss it as cosmetic rather than substantive change.

Energy Challenges in Kenya

Kenya’s energy sector faces structural challenges that transcend leadership at KETRACO. First, there is the issue of affordability. Kenyans continue to complain about high electricity tariffs, which have burdened households and undermined industrial competitiveness. Much of this stems from expensive power purchase agreements signed with IPPs, leaving transmission companies like KETRACO caught in the middle.

Second, infrastructure bottlenecks remain a major obstacle. Even when Kenya generates surplus electricity, inadequate transmission lines prevent efficient delivery, leading to wastage and outages. Projects have been delayed by land acquisition disputes, funding constraints, and bureaucratic red tape.

Third, regional integration is both an opportunity and a challenge. Kenya has positioned itself as a regional power hub, especially after the commissioning of the Kenya-Ethiopia interconnector. However, managing such cross-border projects requires not just technical capacity but also diplomatic finesse and financial discipline.

These challenges form the backdrop against which Mativo has been sacked and Kibias takes charge. For the public, the central concern is whether this change will translate into improved service delivery or whether it is simply another episode in the endless reshuffles that characterize Kenya’s parastatal leadership.

Already, the sacking of John Mativo has elicited strong reactions. Industry insiders are cautious, emphasizing the need for stability in an organization like KETRACO where projects span years, not months. Sudden leadership changes can disrupt continuity and delay progress, especially when relationships with contractors, financiers, and regional partners are involved.

The general public, however, is divided. Some view the move as overdue, seeing it as a chance to clean up inefficiency. Others suspect political interference and worry that qualified technocrats

are being replaced by politically connected individuals. Social media platforms have lit up with debates, with some Kenyans demanding transparency on why Mativo was sacked and what metrics will be used to evaluate Kibias.

Civil society voices have also entered the conversation, calling for reforms that go beyond leadership changes. They argue that systemic accountability mechanisms must be strengthened to prevent corruption and ensure that mega projects deliver value to taxpayers. Without such reforms, changing the MD becomes little more than musical chairs.

The Way Forward for KETRACO

What lies ahead for KETRACO under acting MD Kipkemoi Kibias will be closely watched. Several priorities stand out. Restoring confidence in the organization must be his immediate task, both internally among staff and externally among stakeholders. Clear communication about ongoing projects and their timelines will be essential.

Kibias must also navigate the delicate balance between political expectations and professional integrity. If he becomes perceived as a political appointee serving narrow interests, his tenure will be undermined. If, however, he positions himself as a technocrat committed to delivering results, he could win credibility and even secure permanent appointment.

More broadly, Kenya’s energy sector requires bold reforms. Addressing the high cost of power, accelerating grid expansion, and embracing smart transmission technologies are urgent. KETRACO must also modernize its management systems, improve transparency in procurement, and strengthen its financial sustainability. Kibias has the chance to steer the organization toward these goals, but he will need both political support and professional independence.

A Moment of Uncertainty and Opportunity

The sacking of John Mativo as KETRACO’s Managing Director and the appointment of Kipkemoi Kibias in an acting role encapsulate the tensions, opportunities, and challenges in Kenya’s energy sector. It is a story about more than one man’s career, it is about the intersection of politics, development, and public service delivery in a country striving to balance rapid modernization with accountability.

Whether this change ushers in genuine progress or simply continues the cycle of reshuffles will depend on what comes next. Kibias now has the unenviable task of proving himself in an environment fraught with high expectations and complex challenges. For ordinary Kenyans, the hope remains the same: affordable, reliable electricity that powers lives and businesses. For policymakers, the challenge is ensuring that leadership changes contribute to, rather than derail, that vision.

As the dust settles on today’s announcement, one truth is clear, energy remains one of the most politically sensitive and economically vital sectors in Kenya, and every decision at the top of KETRACO will continue to attract national attention.