The Lake Turkana Wind Power (LTWP) Board has announced the appointment of George Njenga as Executive Chairman from 1st November 2024.
Njenga succeeds Mugo Kibati who has served as LTWP Board Chairman for 10 years. Mr. Kibati will be credited for overseeing the actualization of LTWP – Africa’s largest wind power plant and Kenya’s first private-public partnership (PPP) power project which provided 12% of Kenya’s grid electricity generation in its first five years of operation to March 2024.
The LTWP Board and Shareholders thanked Kibati for his invaluable contributions, exemplary leadership and support during the transition to a new Chairman, noting that his integrity throughout his tenure has been instrumental to the project’s success.
Speaking on his transition, Kibati said he is proud to have been part of the LTWP project, which represents the largest private sector investment in Kenyan history. “LTWP illustrates the power of strategic partnerships in attracting significant foreign investment and delivering social, environmental and economic benefits to the country. Our collaboration with the National Government and key stakeholders has been essential in progressing Kenya’s renewable energy objectives and has bolstered Kenya’s economy and enhanced our global standing as a preferred investment destination.”
He added: “After 10 years as Chairman, I believe this is the right time to step aside. I have seen the project progress from groundbreaking to a fully operational plant that is now vital to Kenya’s transition to being a mostly renewable energy-dependent country. It is now time for new talent to join the team and bring a fresh perspective to the Board and Management Team. This is, as it should be, a normal process in which I am delighted to have supported the hiring of a high-quality successor.”
Under Kibati’s leadership, LTWP has supplied clean low-cost energy to the Kenyan grid and become the largest private employer in Marsabit county. Currently, 99% of LTWP’s 301 employees are Kenyans, of who 80% are from Marsabit County.
Additionally, through its NGO, Winds of Change, LTWP has provided access to water by constructing solar-powered borehole systems, made education accessible by constructing school classrooms, kitchens, laboratories and dormitories, and brought healthcare closer to residents by building dispensaries, clinics, hospital wards, maternity facilities and medical laboratories. To date, there are over 100 Winds of Change projects that have benefited almost every member of Laisamis Constituency’s population of approximately 70,000 inhabitants.
Kibati is handing over to Njenga, who brings over 35 years of experience in the energy sector. He has led multi-million-dollar businesses and projects across Africa and worked in the Middle East and Asia, covering oil and gas, renewable energy, and power generation.
His business leadership roles have included CEO of EA Infrastructure Platform (A.P. Moller Capital), Chairman of Thika Power and Iberafrica Power (EA.) Limited, Chairman and CEO of General Electric (GE) South Africa, and CEO of GE Renewable Energy Sub-Sahara Africa. He has also held several other senior country and regional roles with GE and Caltex/Chevron.
Njenga served as co-developer and Chairman of the 100MW Kipeto wind energy project. A strong advocate for education, Njenga is a Board member of Community Initiatives Agenda and The Human Practice, two non-governmental organisations that support education in Kenya. He is an alumnus of the Nairobi University (BSc. (Hon.) Chemistry), Georgia Institute of Technology (Strategy in Energy Sector) and Michigan Business School.
