The sudden resignation of Kenya Electricity Transmission Company (KETRACO) CEO and Managing Director, Fernandes Barasa, has raised many eyebrows.
Reports indicated that Barasa, who declared interest in the Kakamega Gubernatorial seat in the forthcoming General Election, quit on Monday, January 31.
Barasa was expected to appear before the Parliament's Public Investments Committee (PIC) Tuesday, February 1 to answer questions relating to the excess payment of over Ksh785 million to the Lake Turkana Wind Power (LTWP) for a project in Marsabit County.
However, Barasa tendered his resignation a day earlier and removed his personal belongings from the office. He has also not been seen at the KETRACO office since then.
The acting Managing Director, Anthony Wamukota, could not explain why Barasa resigned in a huff yet his contract was set to end in April 2022.
PIC Chairman Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir questioned Barasa's resignation, adding that he vacated office one week before the deadline set by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) for public servants eyeing elective seats.
IEBC Chairperson, Wafula Chebukati directed public servants seeking elective seats to quit on February 9.
"I find it a bit worrying that the MD resigned yesterday (Monday, January 31) before he met us," he remarked.
Nassir's sentiments were echoed by Likoni MP Mishi Mboko who wondered whether Barasa was avoiding MPs to escape grilling.
"I don't know whether he is part of the cartel or not. We are just surprised by his move," she remarked.
Barasa, who previously worked for Kenya Tea Development Agency Limited (KTDA), Kenya Airways and East Africa Reinsurance, is seeking to vie for the Kakamega Gubernatorial seat via an Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) ticket.
He, however, faces stiff competition from other aspirants, including Kakamega County's Deputy Governor Philip Kutima, Shinyalu MP Justus Kizito, Lugari MP Ayub Savula, Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala and former county Senator Bonny Khalwale.
