The State on Tuesday kicked off the process of seeking to substantively fill the position of chief executive officer of the Nuclear Power and Energy Agency (NuPEA), following the exit of Eng. Collins Gordon Juma, who proceeded on terminal leave in July.
Eng. Juma left NuPEA after serving two, three-year terms at the helm of the agency tasked with promoting and implementing Kenya’s nuclear energy sector, as well as research.
The chairman of the State agency is seeking holders of Engineering, Nuclear Science, Law, Finance, Economics, or Energy degree qualifications with over 15 years of experience to run the Kawi House-based agency, according to an advertisement published in local dailies on Tuesday.
“The person is responsible for the general leadership and strategic direction of the Agency in the implementation of its mandate, which include promoting and implementing Kenya’s Nuclear Power Programme, carrying out research and development, and capacity building in the energy and petroleum sectors,” the advert in Tuesday dailies reads in part.
The three-year contract job, according to NuPEA, will be critical in developing the country’s nuclear energy portfolio, following a push for renewable energy use, even as Kenyans grapple with a recent nationwide power outage and climate change.
Upon exit of Eng. Juma, NuPEA tapped Mr Justus Ambusti Wabuyabo, a Moi University School of Law graduate took over as its acting chief executive officer effective July 1 this year.
His takeover came at a time the agency was upping its efforts to set up nuclear power plants in the country to complement the growing energy needs.
“The board of directors of the Nuclear Power and Energy Agency, in consultation with the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum, has appointed Mr Justus Ambutsi Wabuyabo as Acting Chief Executive Officer with effect from 1st July 2023,” NuPEA said in a July statement.
Mr Wabuyabo, a trained lawyer and advocate of the Kenyan High Court, joined NuPEA four years ago as the director of legal and regulatory affairs. He also worked for the National Water and Harvesting Authority in a similar capacity.
While it may be early to speculate on whether Mr Wabuyabo will assent to the lucrative position given he is already in acting capacity, is left for the board of directors and the interview panel to decide.
Meanwhile, Mr John Mwangemi of Kenya Ports Authority (KPA), Mr Abraham Serem of KenGen, Mrs Rispah Simiyu of Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) and Mr Anthony Wamukota of KETRACO failed to impress the interviewing panels, despite serving in acting capacities in the top jobs in their respective resource-rich State agencies.
