Mugo Kibati steps down as Lake Turkana Wind Power chairman after a decade

Lake Turkana Wind Power (LTWP) has appointed George Njenga, a seasoned executive in the power sector, as its new Executive Chairman.

Njenga replaces Telkom Kenya CEO mugo Kibati, who has exited the company after serving as its chairman for 10 years. LTWP, the operator of Africa’s largest wind farm located in Marsabit, announced the leadership change on Monday.

George Njenga is a seasoned professional in the Independent Power Producers (IPPs) sector. Njenga is known for his role as co-developer and chairman of Kipeto Energy, Kenya’s second-largest wind power project with an installed capacity of 100 megawatts (MW). LTWP, by comparison, has an impressive installed capacity of 310.25 MW.

Reflecting on his decade-long tenure, Kibati said,

“After 10 years as chairman, I believe this is the right time to step aside. I have seen the project evolve from groundbreaking to a fully operational plant that plays a critical role in Kenya’s transition to renewable energy. It is now time for new talent to bring a fresh perspective to the Board and management team.”

During his tenure, Kibati was instrumental in driving LTWP’s mission of supplying low-cost energy to Kenya’s national grid and making it the largest private employer in Marsabit County. The company highlighted that 99% of its 301 employees are Kenyans, with 80% hailing from Marsabit County.

As the new chairman, George Njenga brings a wealth of experience in renewable energy, infrastructure, and power generation. He has held high-level positions, including CEO of EA Infrastructure Platform (A.P. Moller Capital), Chairman of Thika Power and Iberafrica Power (EA) Limited, and CEO of General Electric (GE) South Africa. His portfolio also includes leadership roles with GE Renewable Energy Sub-Saharan Africa and Caltex/Chevron.

Njenga is an alumnus of the University of Nairobi, where he studied Chemistry, as well as the Georgia Institute of Technology and Michigan Business School, specializing in strategy and energy sector leadership.

His appointment follows another leadership change at LTWP earlier this year. In May, Max Schiff was named CEO, succeeding Phylip Leferink, whose second term ended in March 2024. Schiff’s mandate focuses on steering the company into its next phase of growth in renewable energy.

LTWP’s leadership transition signals a renewed focus on innovation and sustainability as Kenya solidifies its position as a leader in renewable energy on the continent.

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