Nairobi, THURSDAY, May 2, 2024: The level of water in Kenya’s largest hydro power generating dam, Masinga, located in the Seven Forks Cascade today morning was at 1,058.22 meters above sea level against a full supply level of 1,056.50 meters. This season has seen Masinga rise to the highest level ever recorded in history surpassing the previous record of 1,058.13 last recorded in May 2020.

This upsurge is attributed to a significant increase in the amount of water currently flowing into the dams averaging more than 850m3 per second over the last week caused by heavy rainfall in the dams’ catchment area. It is expected that the water levels will remain high for most parts of May 2024 as the ongoing rains persist as forecasted by the Kenya Meteorological Department.

KenGen reiterates that all its large hydropower dams in the Seven Forks have reached full supply capacity and now hold a combined volume of more than 2.6 billion cubic meters against a total flow from River Tana estimated at five (5) billion cubic meters. Other dams in the Seven Forks Cascade are Kamburu, Gitaru, Kindaruma, and Kiambere.

“The Seven Forks dams hold the bulk of the water flowing from River Tana, way more than half the volume, which would otherwise be flooding areas downstream of the Dams thereby reducing the damage caused by the ongoing rains,” said KenGen’s Managing Director and CEO, Eng. Peter Njenga.

The NSE-listed firm however assured Kenyans about the safety of the dams which the company said were strongly built with all the safety features to withstand the high pressures of water allaying the risk of the dams bursting their banks.

“We constantly monitor our dams’ structure and would wish to assure all Kenyans that the dam safety measures we have put in place along with our disaster preparedness help allay risks of the water breaching the walls of the dams,” said Eng. Njenga.

Effectively, thanks to the good water inflows, KenGen has stepped up power generation from its large hydropower stations giving a reprieve to electricity consumers in Kenya.

According to reports by EPRA released on April 29, 2024, against a peak demand of 2,033MW KenGen’s hydro contributed 36.5% while geothermal accounted for 32% boosting KenGen’s share to more than 70% of the total power consumed in Kenya.

In November 2023, KenGen predicted that Masinga Dam was likely to reach full supply capacity and overflow in April 2024, which has come to pass. At that time, KenGen issued an early warning to communities living near the dams and rivers to relocate and move to higher grounds to avoid loss of lives and property.

“We thank those who took our warning seriously and moved to safer zones and urge those still residing near the dams and river Tana to heed the Government’s call and move to safer grounds,” said Eng. Njenga, adding, “The communities residing in Mbondoni location, Kithecu, and Menguthe villages are particularly at risk. Given the current circumstances, we must prioritize the safety and well-being of our citizens.”

Over the years, the dams have helped to regulate river flows and mitigate flooding downstream by temporarily storing the flood volume and allowing the water to naturally flow downstream later through the power plants. This has been achieved through a robust water management plan for regulating storage and power generation to ensure a healthy ecosystem and less flooding during heavy rains.

“As projected by the Kenya Meteorological Department the rains are likely to go until the end of May, yet we need cheaper power for the entire year, this is why we are implementing a robust water management plan to enable us to supply hydropower all through the year to help stabilize the cost of electricity in Kenya,” said Eng. Njenga.

Going forward KenGen with the support of the Government is considering raising of Masinga Dam by 1.5 meters which will help hold more water and further delay the overflow of the dam during heavy rains.

KenGen’s hydroelectric power capacity currently stands at 826MW which accounts for 44% of its installed capacity and about 25% of the total national capacity.

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Note to Editor:

About KenGen

Kenya Electricity Generating Company PLC - KenGen is the leading electricity generation company in the Eastern Africa region with an installed generation capacity market share of more than 60%. The company’s primary business is to provide safe, reliable, and competitively priced electric energy for the country in an environmentally friendly and sustainable manner while creating value for its stakeholders.

Today, KenGen PLC has an installed generation capacity of 1,725MW, of which over 86% is drawn from green sources namely: Hydro (826MW), Geothermal (753.8MW), Wind (25.5MW). The balance is from Thermal.

For media queries please contact:  

Frank D. Ochieng, Tel:0721816896   Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Nairobi, Tuesday, March 19, 2024: Kenya Electricity Generating Company PLC (KenGen) has awarded a multibillion contract for the rehabilitation of Kenya’s oldest geothermal power plant aiming to increase its output from 45MW to 63MW in a move to accelerate the country’s transition to green energy.

The NSE-listed electricity generator said the strategic initiative is poised to elevate the power plant's operational efficiency and increase electricity generation output by up to 40% compared to existing conventional models whose first unit was commissioned in 1981 and has since been decommissioned.

In the tender, SEPCOIII Electric Power Construction Co., Ltd will be the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction contractors (EPC) whereas Toshiba Energy Systems and Solutions Corporation (Toshiba ESS) has been awarded the contract to supply steam turbines and generators for the three units of the power plant.

KenGen’s Managing Director and CEO, Eng. Peter Njenga expressed his enthusiasm for the project, stating, "The renovation of Olkaria I represents a historic milestone for KenGen as we continue our commitment to sustainable energy solutions. By leveraging the latest advancements in geothermal technology, we aim to not only enhance the performance of the plant but also set new standards for renewable energy production in Kenya."

The modernization project, scheduled for completion by December 2026, is designed to align with Kenya's broader energy objectives and the Vision 2030 initiative, which envisions a transition to 100% green energy by the end of the decade.

“As the oldest geothermal power plant in Africa, Olkaria I holds significant historical importance and stands as a testament to Kenya's pioneering efforts in renewable energy production and therefore the excitement for us to have this power plant back on the grid,” said Eng. Njenga.

The KenGen CEO expressed confidence in the project citing resource availability and the company’s highly skilled expertise. He said: “Having operated for more than 40 years, this confirms the sustainability of geothermal coupled with the skills set and human resource capabilities that KenGen has developed over the years, we are confident the project will be completed on time and within budget.”

Through this comprehensive renovation, KenGen aims to not only extend the operational lifespan of Olkaria I but also establish a model for sustainable energy development that can be replicated across the region as Kenya angles to exploit the 10,000MW of geothermal potential in the Rift Valey region of Kenya.

By prioritizing innovation, efficiency, and environmental responsibility, KenGen is paving the way for a greener, more sustainable future for Kenya's energy landscape.  

. . . Ends …

Note to Editor:

About KenGen

Kenya Electricity Generating Company PLC - KenGen is the leading electricity generation company in the Eastern Africa region with an installed generation capacity market share of more than 60%. The company’s primary business is to provide safe, reliable, and competitively priced electric energy for the country in an environmentally friendly and sustainable manner while creating value for its stakeholders.

Today, KenGen PLC has an installed generation capacity of 1,904MW, of which over 86% is drawn from green sources namely: Hydro (826MW), Geothermal (799MW), Wind (25.5MW). The balance is from Thermal.

For media queries please contact:  

Frank D. Ochieng, Tel:0721816896   Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Nairobi, Thursday February 29, 2024: Kenya Electricity Generating Company PLC (KenGen) has announced a commendable half-year performance, marked by a notable 8.4% surge in net revenue, reaching Ksh.24.7 billion for the six months ending December 31, 2023.

The NSE-listed energy generator attributed the positive outcome to favorable hydrology and heightened plant efficiency, setting the stage for sustained growth in Kenya's energy sector.

“The operational environment for the aforementioned period was characterized by heavy rainfall that led to an increase in water levels within our hydro dams thus boosting hydro-generation by a remarkable 7%. This substantial boost in hydro-generation played a key role in mitigating the high fuel costs associated with thermal generation, which saw a commendable dip of 3.5%,” said the Managing Director and CEO, Eng. Peter Njenga.

Overall, electricity units generated demonstrated a modest improvement of 0.3%, reaching 4,211GWhs. KenGen reported that the national electricity demand continued its upward trajectory, peaking at 2,170.56MW on December 19, 2023, underlining the growing significance of KenGen's role in meeting the energy needs of the nation.

Net revenue's robust growth, reflecting the impact of favorable hydrology and enhanced plant efficiency, is mirrored in the 1.8% improvement in profit before tax, which grew from Ksh.4.7 billion in 2022 to Ksh.4.8 billion in 2023.

The company’s operating landscape however witnessed a 16.4% increase in operating expenses, predominantly influenced by higher plant operating and maintenance costs stemming from the global macro-economic pressure.

At the same time, KenGen’s positive momentum was slowed by tax expense which surged by 25.7%, escalating from Ksh.1.48 billion in 2022 to Ksh.1.8 billion in 2023, primarily due to an increase in unrealized foreign exchange losses that are disallowable for tax purposes among others. Consequently, Profit after tax declined by 9.2% from Ksh.3.3 billion in the corresponding period of 2022 to Ksh.2.9 billion in 2023.

KenGen maintains a positive outlook, underscoring the escalating national demand for clean electric energy citing noteworthy projects, including the rehabilitation of the Olkaria I geothermal power plant which KenGen says is well on schedule.

At the same time, KenGen says its Olkaria uprating project which aims to increase the combined capacity of two geothermal power plants from 300MW to 340MW is expected to be complete by December 2026.

. . . . . . . . . Ends ….......

Note to Editor:

About KenGen

Kenya Electricity Generating Company PLC - KenGen is the leading electricity generation company in the Eastern Africa region with an installed generation capacity market share of more than 60%. The company’s primary business is to provide safe, reliable, and competitively priced electric energy for the country in an environmentally friendly and sustainable manner while creating value for its stakeholders.

Today, KenGen PLC has an installed generation capacity of 1,904MW, of which over 86% is drawn from green sources namely: Hydro (826MW), Geothermal (799MW), Wind (25.5MW). The balance is from Thermal.

For media queries please contact:  

Frank D. Ochieng, Tel:0721816896   Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Nairobi, Friday, February 16, 2024: Kenya Electricity Generating Company PLC (KenGen) has announced the successful payout of dividends to its private shareholders. This follows the approval by shareholders at the 71st Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on November 30, 2023.

A total of 190,784 shareholders, constituting 30% of KenGen's shareholder base, have received a substantial net dividend amounting to Ksh.545,219,739.63. This milestone payout is part of the approved Ksh.1.978 million dividend allocation for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023, marking one of the highest dividends distributed by KenGen since its 2016 Rights Issue.

The NSE-listed company's decision to distribute a first and final dividend payment of Ksh.0.3 per share, totalling Ksh.1.9 billion, reflects the company's commitment to rewarding its shareholders in alignment with its robust financial performance.

The dividend disbursement follows the company's impressive profits after tax, amounting to Ksh.5.2 billion in the last financial year, highlighting KenGen's financial health and stability over the years.

During the AGM, KenGen Board Chairman, Julius Ogamba, attributed the company's success to strong business fundamentals, an innovation-driven culture, and a resilient expansion strategy. Mr. Ogamba emphasized that the company's revenue witnessed a commendable 14% increase, reaching Ksh.53.96 billion, underscoring KenGen's financial robustness.

For his part, KenGen Managing Director and CEO, Eng Peter Njenga, reiterated the company's 2024 priorities, emphasizing a focus on new technologies to enhance electricity generation using existing power plants. Eng. Njenga affirmed KenGen's commitment to meeting the rising demand for clean energy in Kenya through initiatives like power plant rehabilitation and up-rating of existing assets.

“We understand the central catalytic role energy plays in our country’s economic development and to this end, we remain focused on our 2024 and long-term strategic priorities to not only meet the growing energy demand but also offer green energy solutions to Africa,” said Eng. Njenga.

KenGen's strategic move towards diversification in geothermal consultancy and its green energy park in Olkaria further solidifies its position for financial sustainability in the current and future years.

. . . . . . . . . Ends ….......

Note to Editor:

About KenGen

Kenya Electricity Generating Company PLC - KenGen is the leading electricity generation company in the Eastern Africa region with an installed generation capacity market share of more than 60%. The company’s primary business is to provide safe, reliable, and competitively priced electric energy for the country in an environmentally friendly and sustainable manner while creating value for its stakeholders.

Today, KenGen PLC has an installed generation capacity of 1,904MW, of which over 86% is drawn from green sources namely: Hydro (826MW), Geothermal (799MW), Wind (25.5MW). The balance is from Thermal.

For media queries please contact:  

Frank D. Ochieng, Tel:0721816896   Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Nairobi, Monday, February 5, 2024: Kenya Electricity Generating Company PLC (KenGen), has increased hydropower generation after the country’s main dams in the Seven Forks Cascade hit one of the highest water levels in the recent past.

The impressive performance on the hydropower side of the business has largely been driven by Masinga Dam, which is Kenya's largest, maintaining near maximum water levels of 1,056 meters above sea level (mASL), over the last three days.

“We are happy to report that we are receiving very good inflows from the Mount Kenya and Aberdares catchment areas which has led to high water levels at our dams,” said KenGen Managing Director and CEO, Eng. Peter Njenga. He added, “This will see Kenyans reap the full benefit of cheaper electricity.”

The NSE-listed company said its operational boost at Seven Forks has been remarkable over the last 24 hours, with the power stations recording a peak output of more than 471MW which will go a long way in stabilizing grid-scale electricity costs.  

Amid the rising water levels, KenGen moved to reassure Kenyans especially those living downstream of the five dams saying they do not expect to have water spilling downriver any time soon.

“Despite getting close to the maximum water levels at the Masinga Dam which is our biggest, we have not reached spilling level thanks to a robust water management program being implemented by our engineers. We however remain vigilant and will issue an alert should we envision a potential water overflow from the large dams,” said Eng. Njenga.

KenGen said it had noted reduced inflows over the last one week giving further assurance that Masinga Dam will not reach spilling level any time soon.

KenGen remains committed to generating competitively priced and reliable electricity to drive Kenya’s next phase of economic growth.

. . . . . . . . . Ends ….......

Note to Editor:

About KenGen

Kenya Electricity Generating Company PLC - KenGen is the leading electricity generation company in the Eastern Africa region with an installed generation capacity market share of more than 60%. The company’s primary business is to provide safe, reliable, and competitively priced electric energy for the country in an environmentally friendly and sustainable manner while creating value for its stakeholders.

Today, KenGen PLC has an installed generation capacity of 1,904MW, of which over 86% is drawn from green sources namely: Hydro (826MW), Geothermal (799MW), Wind (25.5MW). The balance is from Thermal.

For media queries please contact:  

Frank D. Ochieng, Tel:0721816896   Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Nairobi, Monday, January 30, 2024: Kenya Electricity Generating Company PLC (KenGen), is to offer testing services to the public and industries after receiving accreditation of its Calibration Centre laboratory by Kenya Accreditation Service (KENAS). The accreditation of the calibration centre will not only contribute to KenGen’s financial sustainability but also position the company as a leader in calibration services regionally and globally.

This is part of the company’s business diversification strategy towards boosting its revenues by leveraging on its expertise and experience. The calibration centre is based at KenGen’s Upper Tana power station consisting of three laboratories that offer calibration services for Electrical, Pressure and Temperature calibration to KenGen and the public.

Speaking during the accreditation certificate presentation by KENAS the NSE listed company Managing and CEO Eng. Peter Njenga welcomed the accreditation as an endorsement and guarantee of the quality services the calibration services the centre will offer KenGen and Kenya industries.

“This marks a significant milestone in the history of our esteemed company by getting ISO 17025 accreditation status which demonstrates our commitment to excellence and quality standards. Capitalizing on our ISO 17025 accreditation, we will expand our calibration services beyond our internal needs and have the capability to serve external clients, businesses, and industries that require precise and accredited calibration services, said KenGen MD and CEO.

“The accreditation will increase customer confidence in KenGen Calibration Centre and mark the beginning of the commercialization of our calibration services. This is because the Calibration Center has not only met but surpassed all prerequisites, securing accreditation and earning its rightful listing on the KENAS website,” reiterated Eng Njenga.

Speaking during the event KENAS Chief Executive Officer Martin Chesire explained what the accreditation means to KenGen and the Country.

“When you see ISO17025 accreditation, you can trust that the laboratory’s results are accurate, reliable, and traceable to international measurement standards. It is a symbol of dedication to delivering the highest quality testing and calibration services,” said KENAS CEO

The attainment of ISO 17025 accreditation is not the end but a new beginning for KenGen because it is an opportunity for growth, innovation, and excellence.

This Accreditation is third party attestation that the laboratory conforms to all requirements of the standard. It provides a framework for the Calibration Centre to improve its processes and outcomes, which stimulates continuous quality improvement in service delivery for every customer. It also provides an independent confirmation that the Calibration Centre is able to consistently provide high-quality services and products to customers,” said Mr, Chesire.

The Calibration centre was officially commissioned on 22nd November 2019 to offer calibration services to KenGen but, in line with the company’s diversification strategy the services have been opened to the public at a fee.

. . . . . . . . . Ends ….......

Note to Editor:

About KenGen

Kenya Electricity Generating Company PLC - KenGen is the leading electricity generation company in the Eastern Africa region with an installed generation capacity market share of more than 60%. The company’s primary business is to provide safe, reliable, and competitively priced electric energy for the country in an environmentally friendly and sustainable manner while creating value for its stakeholders.

Today, KenGen PLC has an installed generation capacity of 1,904MW, of which over 86% is drawn from green sources namely: Hydro (826MW), Geothermal (799MW), Wind (25.5MW). The balance is from Thermal.

For media queries please contact:  

Emmanuel WanderaTel:0721747890 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.