Ruto is right, let's boost local manufacturing

President William Ruto and his host Djibouti counterpart Ismail Omar Guelleh at the presidential palace in Djibouti on June 11, 2023. [Edward Mabele, PSC]

The procurement of electric meters and many other items by Kenya Power has always been subject to controversy. Local firms usually accuse the company of favouring foreign firms.

Companies with manufacturing and assembly operations in the country insist they have the capability to produce meters that are up to standard. But utilities such as Kenya Power argue that many of the meters they get from local firms are usually characterised by high failure rates and that the company usually has to contend with revenue losses during the periods the meters experience downtime.