John Mativo Replaced As KETRACO CEO
The decision was reached after extensive consultations involving the Head of Public Service and the Cabinet Secretary for Energy.
Viral Tea Ke Writer 
Kenya Electricity Transmission Company Limited (KETRACO) has named Kipkemoi Kibias as the Acting Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, with the appointment taking effect on Friday, September 19, 2025.
According to board chair Mohamed Abdi, the decision was reached after extensive consultations involving the Head of Public Service and the Cabinet Secretary for Energy.
“The Board of Directors in consultation with Chief of Staff & Head of Public Service and the Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Energy & Petroleum wishes to inform the general public of the Appointment of Eng Kipkemoi Kibias as the Acting Managing Director/CEO of the Kenya Electricity Transmission Company Ltd (KETRACO) with effect from September 19, 2025,” the statement by the Board read in part.
Incoming KETRACO acting CEO Kipkemoi Kibias. /KETRACO
Kibias succeeds John Mativo, who had been appointed to the position in April 2023.
Until his elevation, he served as KETRACO’s General Manager for System Operation and Power Management.
He previously worked at Kenya Power and Lighting Company, where he held various roles, including Regional Manager, and gained experience in design and construction, operations, maintenance, and power system planning.
The KETRACO board describes him as deeply passionate about power systems and renewable energy, with expertise spanning design, construction, planning, operations, and maintenance.
He is a registered engineer with the Engineers Board of Kenya, a corporate member of the Institution of Engineers of Kenya, and sits on the Federation of African Engineering Organisations (FAEO) Nuclear Committee.
Kibias holds a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, an MBA in Strategic Management from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa, and a Master’s in Nuclear Power Plant Engineering from KEPCO International Nuclear Graduate School in Ulsan, South Korea. He is currently pursuing a PhD in Energy Studies at Moi University.
The circumstances surrounding his removal have not been revealed, coming at a time when the State-owned utility has been intensifying efforts to develop key transmission and distribution lines through Public Private Partnerships (PPP).
KETRACO has not explained why the board chose to end Dr Mativo’s tenure nearly a year before the completion of his three-year contract. He had taken over from Fernandes Barasa, who resigned to venture into politics and was later elected Governor of Kakamega County in 2022.
Like other heads of State corporations, Dr Mativo was eligible for a possible three-year extension of his term based on performance.
He had been with KETRACO since 2010, serving in various capacities before he was appointed Managing Director two years ago.
