Wandayi reveals plans to sign new deal with private investor for electricity project
By Mabonga Makhanu, July 22, 2025Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi has revealed that the ministry is in the final stages of signing a new public-private partnership (PPP) agreement in the energy transmission sector.
Wandayi, while appearing on a local radio show on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, said the project will be undertaken by a consortium led by Africa50 and will involve the construction of two key transmission lines: Lessos–Lesuk and Kibos–Kakamega–Musaga.
“There is another public-private partnership project in the transmission space that is to be undertaken by the consortium Africa 50. It is at the tail end of the implementation in terms of contract signing. Africa 50 is going to do some 2 lines less, Lesuk and Kibos Kakamega Musaga lines,” Wandayi stated.
Progress of the contact
According to the ministry, the agreement is nearing conclusion, with the implementation process now focused on finalising the contract.
Wandayi stated that this development follows an earlier partnership involving the Adani Group, which had been tasked with delivering four transmission lines and associated substations.
While the Adani engagement faced criticism and public scrutiny, he added that the ministry has incorporated the lessons learnt into the new framework.
“Similarly, like Adani would have done with the other 4 lines and substitutions, but on this one we have heard more robust public engagement going from the learnings I got from Adani Debuggle,” he added.
The Africa50-led project is expected to be the first of its kind in the region, marking a milestone not just for Kenya but for the continent at large in the field of energy transmission through PPPs.
Wandayi said the ministry acknowledges that while PPPs are the way forward in bridging infrastructure gaps, they must be managed with a high level of public accountability, transparency, and inclusivity.
Concerns in Adani deal
In light of the public concerns that arose during the previous Adani deal, he stated that the current project has undergone more extensive stakeholder engagement.
The ministry is confident, Wandayi added, that this approach will help allay fears, ensure better understanding, and foster public trust, especially among communities expected to benefit from improved power transmission infrastructure.
“Kenyans must understand, as things are, we must embrace PPP, but I am also agreeing that the Ppps must be managed properly and in nsparent manner, and and that is what the govt is set out to do that satisfies the needs and anxiety of common Mwanachi,” he concluded