Kenya Electricity Generating Company PLC (KenGen) has appointed Ronoh Kibet Charles as its next managing director and chief executive officer, selecting an executive with more than 17 years of experience in geothermal development, project delivery and commercial strategy. He will take office on February 1, 2027, succeeding Peter Waweru Njenga upon his retirement.
KenGen announced the appointment on October 24, following a competitive recruitment process. Kibet currently serves as the company’s general manager for commercial services, a role that covers energy markets, investments, new business development, partnerships, marketing, corporate communication and sustainability.
His appointment creates a transition period before he assumes leadership of the state-controlled power producer. The handover is intended to maintain continuity in the company’s operations and strategic priorities as it continues to develop electricity generation projects and commercial services.
KenGen is a major electricity producer in Kenya, with generation assets that include geothermal, hydroelectric, wind and thermal power facilities. Its role is important to the country’s electricity supply, particularly as Kenya seeks to expand renewable generation and meet growing demand from households, businesses and industry.
Kibet’s experience in geothermal development is relevant to the company’s long-term strategy. Geothermal power provides electricity from heat beneath the Earth’s surface and is an important component of Kenya’s renewable energy mix. KenGen has invested in geothermal generation around the Olkaria fields and has also developed technical and consultancy services linked to the sector.
The company said Kibet’s career combines engineering and commercial leadership, including contributions to renewable energy development, the expansion of international consultancy services and the advancement of the Olkaria Green Energy Park.
The next chief executive will oversee operations in a sector facing pressure to deliver reliable electricity while managing project costs, financing requirements and changes in demand. KenGen’s commercial activities also include developing partnerships and exploring opportunities beyond electricity generation in Kenya.
Njenga’s retirement marks the end of his tenure as chief executive. The company’s succession process is intended to provide an orderly transfer of leadership rather than an immediate change in management.
For KenGen, maintaining generation reliability and delivering projects on schedule will remain important as the country expands electricity access and supports economic growth. The company will also need to manage the financial demands of infrastructure development while pursuing investment opportunities in geothermal and other energy services.
Kibet’s appointment places an experienced internal executive in line to lead the company from February 2027. His performance will be assessed through the company’s delivery of its generation, commercial and sustainability objectives, as well as its ability to support Kenya’s evolving electricity needs.
