18 Apr 2016

The Kenya Electricity Transmission Company Limited Board of Directors has appointed, with the approval of Cabinet Secretary- Energy & Petroleum, FCPA Fernandes Barasa as Managing Director & CEO after a competitive recruitment process. The recruitment process was initiated after the first MD retired after serving two terms.

Barasa has served as Acting Managing Director & CEO since 1st August, 2015. Before that acting appointment, he was the Company’s Chief Manager, Finance and Accounts. Prior to joining KETRACO, FCPA Barasa served as the Treasury Manager and later Head of Factories Accounts at the Kenya Tea Development Agency Limited (KTDA). He also worked for Kenya Airways and East Africa Re in senior management positions.
FCPA Fernandes Barasa who is a Fellow and the current Chairman, Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (ICPAK), is also a lead Auditor and Certified Public Accountant of Kenya.  He holds a Bachelor of Commerce Degree and a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) in Finance from Kenyatta University. Mr. Barasa has a wealth of experience in Public Finance Management, Risk Management, and Corporate Governance amongst others.
Speaking during the official announcement KETRACO Chairman Dr. Kenneth Sigilai welcomed the appointment and assured staff of 100% support from him and the Board of Directors. ‘We put our trust in him leading this company and he hasn’t disappointed. This company will achieve its mandate under his leadership ’’ noted Dr. Sigilai.

As the acting MD, FCPA Fernandes Barasa has seen the formulation and launch of the company’s 2nd Five Strategic Plan. He has also overseen the completion of 132kV Kindaruma- Mwingi- Garissa, the energization of 220kV Rabai- Malindi- Garsen- Lamu line. During his acting period, FCPA Fernandes Barasa also launched the 400kV Kenya Tanzania Project and the recent ground breaking of Homabay Substation, part of the 132kV Sondu- Homabay- Awendo Transmission line project. Other notable achievements include leasing of excess fibre to Safaricom and Jamii Telecommunications Company.

Currently, KETRACO is implementing a number of high priority projects totaling about 5,000km of transmission lines and regional power interconnectors of different voltage levels expected to be completed in the next 3-4 years. These transmission infrastructure projects will facilitate electricity evacuation from generating stations, reinforce the grid network for increased capacity, reliability and provide redundancy