KENYA · ENERGY
Key Facts
- —The country Kenya is one of East Africa’s largest economies and a leading geothermal power producer, drawing electricity from underground steam.
- —What happened On Saturday 24 October 2026, the board made the KenGen Ronoh Kibet CEO appointment, naming Ronoh Kibet Charles as Managing Director and CEO.
- —The handover Kibet takes office on Monday 1 February 2027, after a transition period, and succeeds Peter Waweru Njenga, who is retiring.
- —The company KenGen is the Kenya Electricity Generating Company, with 1,786 megawatts of installed capacity and over 60% of the national total, it says.
- —The new chief Kibet is an engineer with more than 17 years in geothermal work and is KenGen’s General Manager for Commercial Services.
- —The profit KenGen reported profit after tax of Sh10.48 billion (about US$80.7 million) for the 2024/2025 financial year.
- —Still open The board has not published a pay package, a performance contract or a new strategy for KenGen.
The board of KenGen, Kenya’s state-backed power generator, has named Ronoh Kibet as its next chief executive. The KenGen Ronoh Kibet CEO news came on Saturday 24 October 2026, and he takes over from Peter Njenga on 1 February 2027.
For US investors and energy firms, a new leader at a major East African power producer shapes how Kenya runs its geothermal push. The Star, The Standard, Citizen Digital and KenGen’s own statement all carried the news.
The KenGen Ronoh Kibet CEO Announcement
KenGen’s board said Ronoh Kibet Charles will serve as Managing Director and CEO, and for now holds the title of CEO designate. The Standard reported that the board chose him after what it called a “rigorous and competitive recruitment process”.
The Star reported the board’s words that the transition will allow “an orderly handover and continuity in the delivery of KenGen’s strategic priorities”. The statement did not name the board chair.
Who Is Ronoh Kibet
Kibet is currently KenGen’s General Manager for Commercial Services, where he oversees energy markets, investments, new business and partnerships, marketing and sustainability. KenGen says he has more than 17 years of experience in geothermal development, project delivery and commercial strategy.
He holds a degree in telecommunication and information engineering and a master’s in project management, both from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology. KenGen’s statement also lists executive courses at Harvard Business School, IESE in Spain, the University of Cape Town and Strathmore Business School.
The Man He Replaces
Peter Waweru Njenga became KenGen’s chief executive in August 2023, after Abraham Serem had led it in an acting role, Citizen Digital reported. The board thanked him and wished him “a fulfilling retirement”, according to The Standard.
The board credited Njenga with stronger financial results, a wider range of businesses and growth in geothermal consulting, including work in Eswatini. KenGen reported profit after tax of Sh10.48 billion (about US$80.7 million) for the 2024/2025 financial year.
What KenGen Does for Kenya
KenGen is listed on the Nairobi Securities Exchange, the country’s stock market, and the Kenyan state is its majority owner. By its own count it runs 1,786 megawatts of capacity, including 826 megawatts of hydropower, 754 megawatts of geothermal and 25.5 megawatts of wind.
Its geothermal plants at Olkaria feed power into Kenya’s grid, and the company says it has grown a consulting arm that sells geothermal expertise abroad. The board named the Eswatini assignments as one example of that business.
What It Means for US Readers
American investors in Kenyan shares and US firms that work with KenGen now know who will lead it from February 2027. The KenGen Ronoh Kibet CEO choice puts a commercial executive in charge, a background that points to deals and partnerships.
Recent Rio Times reports covered a licence flaw at the Olkaria geothermal field and a part-payment offer on KenGen’s Djibouti drilling contract. The investor explainer on KenGen’s new CEO looks at what the handover could mean for the share price and for power projects.
What Is Not Known
The board has not said how many candidates applied or what pay and targets the KenGen Ronoh Kibet CEO contract carries. Its statement does not say who chaired the selection.
No strategy for the next phase has been published beyond the board’s wish to “build on the company’s achievements”. It is also open how the company will fill Kibet’s current post in commercial services.
More: Kenya news in English, every day from The Rio Times.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the new KenGen CEO?
The board named Ronoh Kibet Charles, currently the company’s General Manager for Commercial Services. It announced the choice on Saturday 24 October 2026.
When does Ronoh Kibet start as KenGen chief executive?
The KenGen Ronoh Kibet CEO term starts on Monday 1 February 2027. Until then he is CEO designate while the board runs a handover.
Who is leaving KenGen?
Peter Waweru Njenga, who has led the company since August 2023, is retiring. The board thanked him for better financial results and wider business interests.
What is KenGen?
KenGen is the Kenya Electricity Generating Company, which says it holds over 60% of Kenya’s installed generation capacity, or 1,786 megawatts. It makes electricity from water, underground steam, wind and some thermal plant.
Why does the KenGen CEO news matter abroad?
KenGen is a big player in Africa’s geothermal power industry and sells its expertise to other countries, including Eswatini. Its choice of leader shapes how foreign partners and investors deal with the company.
Sources: The Star, KenGen appoints Ronoh Kibet as new CEO, 24 October 2026; The Standard, KenGen Board appoints Ronoh Kibet as new CEO, 24 October 2026; Citizen Digital, KenGen appoints Ronoh Kibet as next CEO to succeed Peter Njenga, 24 October 2026; KenGen, KenGen Names Ronoh Kibet Charles as Next Chief Executive, 24 October 2026.
This article was produced by The Rio Times’ automated newsroom system. How we use AI · Report an error · Editorial responsibility: Matthias Camenzind, Editor-in-Chief