Geothermal Development Company appoints Jared Othieno as the new Managing Director

KENYA – Geothermal Development Company (GDC), a government-owned company in Kenya’s energy sector, has appointed Jared Othieno as its new managing director and chief executive officer.

He will be responsible for the development of green energy in the country.

The appointment, which takes effect on April 19 will see Othieno head GDC for three years, replacing the outgoing managing director Johnson Ole Nchoe, who has served GDC in that position for a period of four years.

Mr Nchoe’s term ended in April 2019 but got a one-year extension at the helm of GDC following a dispute between the board and Energy Cabinet Secretary Charles Keter.

“On behalf of the board and management of GDC, I wish to congratulate Eng Othieno on his appointment and wish him success in the new role,” said GDC Chairman John Njiraini in a company statement.

“I also wish to thank Eng Peterson P. Ole Nchoe for his service to GDC and particularly for the achievement attained during his tenure.”

Othieno, who holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering and Master’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Nairobi and a doctorate degree in strategic management for the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, was elected from an initial field of 64 applicants.

He has served in various roles at Kenya Power & Lighting Company, where he began his career rising to become acting managing director, a position he held for 15 months between July 2018 to October 2019.

Jared’s position at Kenya Power was taken over by Benard Ngugi. Ngugi is the former General Manager in charge of Supply Chain at Kenya Power.

Ngugi has over 30 years’ experience in the Company with expertise in financial and revenue accounting, internal audit and supply chain management. He holds a Master of Business Administration in Finance and Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting.

GDC is fully government-owned company in Kenya’s energy sector. GDC was formed in 2008 as a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to accelerate the development of geothermal resources in Kenya.

GDC is tasked with developing steam fields and selling geothermal steam for electricity generation to KenGen and to private investors. Geothermal steam is an environmentally friendly and abundant raw material used for generating electricity.

The government and several development partners have been financing risks associated with geothermal exploration and drilling.