The ledger at Kenya Power has turned green, and Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro is reaping the harvest. In a spectacular display of market timing, the legislator has pocketed a cool Sh244 million in paper and realized profits, cementing his status as the utility giant’s savviest individual investor.

While ordinary Kenyans grapple with rising electricity bills, the boardroom at Stima Plaza has delivered a bonanza for its shareholders. The declaration of a 30-cent dividend per share—a 50 percent leap from the previous year’s 20 cents—signals a robust financial turnaround for the monopoly. For Nyoro, who has aggressively accumulated stock over the last four years, this moment is not just about financial gain; it is a vindication of his bullish bet on a state parastatal that many had written off as a sinking ship.

The Anatomy of a Windfall

The numbers tell a story of calculated risk and massive reward. Nyoro sold 3.08 million shares in the first half of the financial year, liquidating a portion of his portfolio to lock in profits while the stock price surged. Yet, even after this sale, he retains a commanding stake of 26.9 million shares, making him the single largest individual shareholder.

His strategy has been simple but effective: buy when the streets are bloody. Nyoro began accumulating KPLC shares when they were trading at historic lows of below Sh1.50. With the stock now rallying significantly, his portfolio value has skyrocketed. This dividend payout alone will see millions flow into his bank account, independent of the capital gains he has already realized.

• The Dividend Leap: The increase to 30 cents per share represents a massive injection of liquidity for large holders.
• The Sale: Offloading 3.08 million shares allowed Nyoro to diversify his risk while maintaining his influence.
• The Hold: By keeping 26.9 million shares, he bets on the long-term restructuring of the energy sector.

Ethical Questions in the Boardroom

However, this financial triumph is not without its critics. Questions regarding conflict of interest continue to shadow his investment. As the Chairperson of the Budget and Appropriations Committee, Nyoro wields significant influence over the fiscal policies that affect state corporations like Kenya Power. Can a legislator objectively oversee a company in which he holds a massive personal stake?

Defenders argue that his investment is a vote of confidence in the Kenyan economy, urging other leaders to put their money where their mouths are. Critics see it as insider advantage, where policy decisions could essentially be used to pad personal portfolios. Regardless of the ethical lens, the financial reality remains: the MP has turned a public utility into a private goldmine.

The Future of the Grid

As Kenya Power pivots towards renewable energy and grid modernization, the value of Nyoro’s stake serves as a barometer for the company’s health. "I am investing in the future of Kenya," Nyoro has previously stated. For now, that future looks exceptionally profitable for him, even as the rest of the country waits for the promised lower power tariffs to trickle down.