Davis Chirchir, the Energy Cabinet Secretary, has appointed John Mativo as the managing director of the Kenya Electricity Transmission Company (KETRACO), effective April 24, 2023.

The appointment comes after the Board of Directors completed a successful and competitive recruitment process.

Mativo will hold the position for three years, renewable once, subject to performance and the retirement age for Public Officers.

He succeeds Isaac Kiva, who has been serving in the role as an actor since January.

Kiva succeeded Antony Wamukota, who had been serving in the position in an acting capacity since February 2022, when Governor Fernandes Barasa resigned to pursue politics.

Kiva will return to his position as Secretary of Renewable Energy at the Ministry of Energy following Mativo’s appointment.

“John Mativo is expected to bring sufficient skills in leadership and resource management, having served the Company in various capacities since 2010,” said the KETRACO Board Chairman in an internal memo.

“He has a wealth of experience and institutional historical information that is much needed to support the required leadership in designing suitable plans and strategies that will contribute to the country’s economy’s high and sustainable socioeconomic development.”

He assumes leadership of the Company at the height of energy sector reforms aimed at lowering power costs.