Challenges in the Implementation of Electricity Power Generation Expansion Projects in Kenya: a Case of Kengen

Abstract

Kenya has a long-term development strategy, The Vision 2030, whose aim is to drive the country into a globally competitive and prosperous economy with high quality of life. The energy sector is an important sector because energy plays a key role in enabling economic growth. The electric power supply in Kenya is significantly insufficient and covers a mere 20% of the population. Experience has shown that past electricity power projects have not realized the expectations in terms of their implementation and quality at entry. There is therefore the need to study the challenges in the implementation of electricity power generation expansion projects in Kenya. The purpose of this study was to determine the challenges in the implementation of electricity power generation expansion projects in Kenya with a focus on Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen). The main objective of this study was to establish the extent to which: financial resources; top management support; community support; and procurement process and procedures influence implementation of electricity power generation expansion projects in Kenya. The study adopted a descriptive research design. The target population for this study included all 100 chief officers and 28 managers of KenGen. In this study however no sampling will be done given the number of respondents is small, a census survey of all chief officers and managers will be conducted. The study relied on data collected through questionnaires structured to meet the objectives of the study. Responses were tabulated, coded and processed by use of a computer Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 20.0 programme to analyze the data. It is believed the study will be significant to the management of KenGen and energy regulators because they will be able to understand the challenges in the implementation of electricity power generation expansion projects in Kenya and therefore make informed decisions on related issues. The study found that there exists a positive association between: financial resources on implementation of electricity power generation expansion projects; influence of top management support on implementation of electricity power generation expansion projects; influence of community support on implementation of electricity power generation expansion projects; influence of procurement procedures on implementation of electricity power generation expansion projects to challenges in the implementation of electricity power generation expansion projects in Kenya with a focus on KenGen. This positive association suggests that when one increases, challenges in the implementation of electricity power generation expansion projects in Kenya increase. The study therefore concludes that financial resources, top management support, community support community support and procurement procedures are challenges in the implementation of electricity power generation expansion projects in Kenya with a focus on KenGen.