Decades of Scrutiny

Former Energy Permanent Secretary Patrick Nyoike is facing renewed and intense scrutiny over his central role in the approval of the Lake Turkana Wind Power (LTWP) project, a deal that ultimately cost Kenyan taxpayers KSh 18 billion in penalties. On Tuesday, November 25, 2025, a National Assembly committee recommended that the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) investigate Mr. Nyoike for his part in fast-tracking a skewed power purchasing agreement (PPA) that has contributed to Kenya's high electricity costs.

This is the latest in a series of official inquiries and allegations that have followed Mr. Nyoike's career, which spanned senior roles in Kenya's critical energy and transport sectors. His tenure has been punctuated by parliamentary probes, auditor-general reports, and corruption charges related to separate matters at the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA).

The Lake Turkana Wind Power Controversy

The primary focus of the current investigation is the 20-year PPA between Kenya Power and LTWP. Mr. Nyoike, who served as Energy PS from 2003 to 2012, was instrumental in the project's approval process. A special audit by the Auditor-General in December 2021 revealed that the Ministry of Energy and Kenya Power proceeded with the agreement despite explicit warnings from the World Bank.

The World Bank had raised red flags over the project's massive 300-megawatt scale, advising a more gradual approach in 50-100 megawatt lots to ensure grid stability. It also cautioned against the single-sourcing of LTWP and warned that the proposed 26-month timeline for constructing the 436km transmission line from Loiyangalani to Suswa was unrealistic and exposed Kenya Power to "unacceptable high financial risk." These warnings proved prescient. The transmission line was delayed by 21 months, and because of a "take-or-pay" clause in the PPA, Kenya was forced to pay LTWP for electricity it could not evacuate, resulting in the KSh 18 billion penalty.

The parliamentary energy committee's report, tabled in the National Assembly, accuses Mr. Nyoike of ignoring a May 22, 2009, letter from the National Treasury that raised concerns about the project's cost-effectiveness and recommended further review before implementation. The committee has now formally requested the EACC and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to probe Mr. Nyoike and his successor, Joseph Njoroge, for their roles in the costly deal.

A Pattern of Allegations

The LTWP investigation is not an isolated incident. Mr. Nyoike's record has been questioned in several other high-profile energy and corruption scandals:

• Kenya Petroleum Refineries Ltd (KPRL): In June 2020, the Public Investments Committee of the National Assembly recommended that Mr. Nyoike be prosecuted for his role in the 2009 sale of government shares in KPRL. The committee's report alleged the deal to transfer shares to Essar Energy Overseas Ltd was "skewed" and "mired in secrecy," with the government's pre-emptive rights waived for a significantly reduced price of $2 million, down from an initial $15 million.
• Triton Oil Scandal (2009): As the sitting Energy PS, Mr. Nyoike was questioned for four hours by the then-Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission (KACC) in February 2009 over the KSh 7.6 billion Triton oil scandal. The scandal involved the illegal release of 126 million litres of oil from the Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) to Triton Oil Company. Mr. Nyoike denied any knowledge or involvement, stating he did not micro-manage KPC.
• Gulf Power Limited Probe: In April 2023, Mr. Nyoike's name, along with former minister Kiraitu Murungi and ex-PS Joseph Njoroge, was mentioned during a Senate committee probe into the ownership of Gulf Power Limited, an Independent Power Producer (IPP) blamed for high electricity prices. A senator questioned whether the former officials were beneficial owners of the firm, a claim the company's representative denied.

Separate Corruption Charges at KPA

Beyond the energy sector, Mr. Nyoike faced direct corruption charges related to his subsequent role as Finance Manager at the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA). In May 2020, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Noordin Haji, ordered his arrest and prosecution. The charges alleged that between October 2014 and March 2017, Mr. Nyoike abused his office to facilitate irregular payments of KSh 214.5 million to Nyali Capital Limited (NCL).

The EACC investigation found that NCL, which financed KPA suppliers, was not a registered vendor with the authority. The DPP stated there was a clear conflict of interest, as Mr. Nyoike's wife was the general manager of NCL and his brother was a director. He was charged with abuse of office, conspiracy to commit an economic crime, and failure to disclose a private interest.

As investigators once again turn their focus to Mr. Nyoike's tenure, the cumulative weight of these inquiries raises significant questions about governance, oversight, and accountability in Kenya's multi-billion shilling energy sector and its critical state corporations. The outcome of the EACC probe into the LTWP deal will be closely watched by a Kenyan public burdened by high energy costs and demanding accountability for past decisions.