February 7th, 2022 marked the end of the 3 year term for the REREC Board of Directors. The Board, which enjoyed a rich mix of expertise, experience and competencies, having served the Corporation since February 8th, 2019. On appointment, the immediate focus for the Board of Directors was the implementation of the enhanced mandate for the Corporation, especially improving electricity coverage in rural areas and integrating renewable energy as a key mandate for the Corporation. Speaking in Nairobi during the farewell luncheon, the outgoing Chairman of the Board, Prof. Simon Gicharu, CBS, noted that as at the time of their appointment, the total reported electricity connectivity to public facilities was about 65%, which had since grown to an estimated 71% as at the time of their exit. He added that it is also in this tenure that the Corporation started the process to take over 16 energy centers across the country, occasioning the transfer of 142 staff members to the Corporation.

Prof. Gicharu commended the directors for their performance noting that the annual Board evaluation results for the last three financial years have consistently indicated an upward growth from 88% in the 2018/2019 to a score of 97% for the 2020/2021 financial year. Gicharu further applauded the Corporation for generating revenue of Kshs 1.7515 Billion from the 50 MW Garrissa solar power plant, a flagship project that remains the largest solar plant in East and Central Africa. He added that the solar power plant has cumulatively generated 282,996Mwh. In his remarks, REREC’s CEO, CPA Peter Mbugua stated that with the support of the Board, the Corporation has been putting in place measures geared toward encouraging the use of clean and sustainable energy. “We have been putting in place measures to empower communities to utilize and embrace the use of renewable energy sources available within their geographical and financial reach,” Mbugua reiterated. Mbugua appreciated the support accorded to the management team by the Board during their tenure and wished them well as they move on to other commitments and future endeavors. he chairman pointed out that the Matching Fund Programme is one of the innovative programmes the outgoing Board of Directors spearheaded with an aim to accelerate rural electrification in the country. He said that the innovative programme, also referred to as ‘a shilling for a shilling’, is a programme through which Constituencies and Counties apportion a budget for electrification projects and the Corporation matches the same to a tune of five million Kenya Shilling per Constituency/ County per year. “During the term of the Board, the constituencies and counties have contributed Ksh.500 Million,” revealed Prof. Gicharu.