An intricate network of corrupt employees and contractors has put Kenya Power back in the spotlight, following a damning report exposing how companies affiliated to staff bagged multi-billion shilling contracts to undertake emergency repairs on power infrastructure.

The report exposes the deep-seated rot at the power distribution firm, which comes at a time when the company is fighting to redeem its image following claims of customers being fleeced.

A number of contractors that ended up with the job in the October last year’s tendering for Labour and Transport (L&T) are affiliated to the employees.

The employees co-own the companies with their spouses, children or other relatives. “Some of the pre-qualified firms were owned or associated with Kenya Power employees,” says the report by internal auditors.

Kenya Power staff within the circle, who do not have their own companies, get kickbacks to ensure the contractors retain their jobs.

Some of the employees forming the cartel are low cadre and include clerks and technicians, who are nevertheless well compensated. “An examination of money transfers showed a trend where funds were exchanged between directors of the pre-qualified L&T firms and KPLC staff.

KPLC employees were found to be working in strategic positions in regard to job execution, hence direct conflict of interest,” say the auditors.

For these corrupt employ