MPs want Treasury and Kenya Power to explain Sh 10 billion debt

A man collects debris left after residential houses in Njiru, erected on Kenya Power & Lighting Company (KPLC) land were demolished in Buru farm, Nairobi, on these photos taken on Tuesday, March 12 2019. [David Njaaga,Standard]

MPs want Treasury and Kenya Power to explain a Sh10 billion owed to Tana and Athi Rivers Development Authority (Tarda).

Kenya Power is supposed to compensate Tarda after taking over Tarda's  power generation and transmission equipment.

Kenya Power has not remitted the money to Tarda despite a 2014 House resolution compelling it to pay.

Parliament's Public Investments Committee (PIC), chaired by Mvita MP Abdulswamad Nassir, said approval was granted for the debt to be paid, but Tarda is yet to receive any money.

“We will call Treasury and also write to the Committee on Implementation of House resolutions to consider this matter," Mr Nassir said.

"We want the Implementation Committee to give us a status report on this resolution."

Stephen Githaiga, the Tarda Managing Director, told the PIC he authority is struggling financially due to non-remittance of the money.

The equipment located at Masinga and Kiambere dams was handed over to Kenya Power following a 1988 Government directive.

“When KP disregarded the lease with Tarda, the financial base of the authority was hurt,” Mr Githaiga said.

Wajir MP Rashid Amin said Treasury must be held accountable for failure to implement the resolution.