Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi has assured that the government will prioritize public involvement in its new Public-Private Partnership (PPP) with infrastructure company Africa50 for the construction of new power transmission lines.
Speaking before the National Assembly Energy Committee on Tuesday morning, Wandayi emphasized that engaging the public at every stage of the project would be a key strategy to prevent the kind of opposition witnessed during the controversial Adani power deals.
While addressing lawmakers who had raised concerns about the details of the agreement, Wandayi clarified that the PPP with Africa50 involves the development of two major power lines.
One will run from Kisumu to Kakamega, while the other will stretch from Lessos to Loosuk in Nandi County.
The CS noted that discussions between the private company and the government were already underway and that the Ministry of Energy would take extra measures to ensure Kenyans are fully informed about the project.
He emphasized that transparency and early engagement with the public would help address any concerns before they escalate into major disputes.
“The public wants to be informed and involved in every stage of such projects. Therefore, we have decided to proactively engage and explain what we are doing in a more detailed and transparent manner,” Wandayi stated.
He added, “We are currently working with Africa50 on a Public-Private Partnership to implement two crucial transmission line projects: the Kisumu-Kakamega line and the Lessos-Loosuk line.”
Despite the commitment to public involvement, Wandayi admitted that there is still no specific framework outlining how nationwide public participation will be conducted.
However, he reassured lawmakers that the government would work closely with Parliament to ensure the deal complies with constitutional requirements and avoids potential legal challenges.
“While the PPP Act does not clearly define the extent of public participation required, we recognize that past court rulings have emphasized its importance. That is why we will rely on Parliament and this committee to guide us as we move forward,” he explained.
Wandayi’s remarks come just days after the Kenya Electricity Transmission Company (KETRACO) revealed that negotiations were at an advanced stage for a Ksh45 billion power deal with Africa50.
This latest development also follows Kenya’s recent decision to terminate two private agreements with India’s Adani Group, including a power deal, due to intense public opposition.
The government is now taking extra precautions to ensure similar backlash does not occur with the Africa50 project.
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