KenGen picks Albert Mugo as new chief executive

Albert Mugo, KenGen's new managing director and chief executive during a press conference at Stima Plaza in Nairobi January 15, 2014. Mr Mugo said his focus will be on capacity expansion and diversifying the company's power generation mix. Photo/Salaton Njau  Nation Media Group

By Hellen Githaiga

KenGen has named Albert Mugo as the new managing director and chief executive to replace Eddy Njoroge who retired in June last year.

Mr Mugo was picked from a shortlist of 10 candidates to take position at the helm of Kenya's largest electricity generator at a time when the firm is executing power projects that will see it add more than 1000MW in the next five years.

"Mr Mugo's immediate assignment is to complete the 280MW of geothermal power in order to reduce reliance on the expensive thermal power and weather-dependent hydro energy," said Joshua Choge, KenGen's recently appointed chairman at a press briefing in Nairobi on Wednesday.

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An industry veteran, Mr Mugo has previously served at the Kenya Pipeline Company, Kenya Power and is credited with spearheading some of KenGen's power projects including 120MW Kipevu III in Mombasa and the 280MW geothermal plants in Olkaria.

Mr Mugo holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering and a Master of Business Administration in Strategic Management, both from the University of Nairobi. In 2012, he completed the Advance Management Programme from Strathmore University. He is a registered professional engineer and a member of the Institution of Engineers of Kenya.

Until his appointment, Mr Mugo was the director of business development and strategy at KenGen.

hgithaiga@nationmedia.com