Energy Principal Secretary Alex Wachira is facing mounting pressure after Members of Parliament exposed what they described as “ghost electrification projects” during a heated session of the National Assembly Public Accounts Committee (PAC).
The explosive revelations have raised fresh concerns over the credibility of the government’s rural electrification programme, even as political temperatures begin to rise ahead of the 2027 General Election.
MPs Lift Lid on “Launch Now, Disappear Later” Projects
Lawmakers from across the political divide accused the Energy Ministry of presiding over a pattern where electricity projects are launched with fanfare—but never implemented.
Nabii Nabwera, the Lugari MP, directly confronted the PS, alleging that equipment from state agencies is deployed ahead of high-profile visits—only to disappear shortly after.
“You even came to my constituency and launched a ghost project… it has never taken off,” Nabwera told the committee.
Similar concerns were raised by:
- Mary Emase (Teso South MP), who cited stalled projects in Busia, Vihiga, and Siaya
- Joseph Namuar (Turkana Central MP), who claimed no meaningful electrification progress in his region
- Wilberforce Oundo (Funyula MP), who pointed to projects launched but never executed
The accusations paint a troubling picture of projects that exist on paper and during launch events—but not in reality.
Auditor General Flags Billions in Irregularities
The parliamentary outrage is backed by findings from Nancy Gathungu, whose reports have repeatedly flagged delays, stalled works, and questionable expenditures in rural electrification projects.
Key audit concerns include:
- Projects worth billions stalled years after commencement
- Significant portions of contracted work left incomplete despite expired timelines
- Procurement irregularities and missing documentation
- Unreconciled financial variances running into billions
In one instance, millions of shillings spent on energy-saving equipment could not be fully accounted for, raising further questions about oversight and accountability.
Funding Crisis and Project Delays
Appearing before MPs, Alex Wachira acknowledged funding constraints, revealing that the ministry had exhausted its 2025/2026 budget halfway through the financial year.
He attributed delays to:
- Budget shortfalls
- Procurement challenges
- Contractor inefficiencies
The PS assured lawmakers that payments had since been made and that implementation would accelerate.
However, MPs remained unconvinced, noting that similar assurances have been given repeatedly with little change on the ground.
Political Fallout Ahead of 2027
What makes the controversy more significant is that many of the critics are government-allied MPs, raising concerns within the ruling coalition itself.
Analysts say the issue could have serious political consequences:
- MPs fear backlash from voters over undelivered projects
- Electrification is a key campaign promise tied to development
- Failure to deliver could weaken support ahead of 2027
Nabii Nabwera warned that the situation risks undermining leaders seeking re-election if constituents continue to experience “projects without results.”
Wachira Defends Record
Despite the criticism, Alex Wachira defended his record, citing increased electricity connectivity nationwide.
He told the committee that:
- Connections have risen significantly since 2022
- Contractors have been placed under strict performance timelines
- Non-performing contractors risk contract termination
However, MPs insisted that aggregate statistics do not reflect the lived reality in many constituencies, where residents still lack access to electricity despite official project launches.
Growing Demand for Accountability
The unfolding revelations have intensified calls for:
- A project-by-project audit of electrification programmes
- Greater transparency in procurement processes
- Stronger parliamentary oversight of public funds
Observers say the controversy highlights a broader governance challenge—the gap between announced development and actual delivery.
As Kenya edges closer to the next election cycle, the debate over “ghost projects” is likely to remain a key political issue.
For many Kenyans in affected regions, the concern is simple:
projects should not just be launched—they should be completed.
Whether the pressure on Alex Wachira will translate into tangible action remains to be seen, but one thing is clear—the spotlight is firmly on the Energy Ministry.