Austin Ouko – GC Powerlist
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East Africa 2024

Energy and utilities

Austin Ouko

Company Secretary, and General Manager-Legal Affairs | Kenya Electricity Generating Company

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East Africa 2024

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Austin Ouko

Company Secretary, and General Manager-Legal Affairs | Kenya Electricity Generating Company

Legal team size:   10 

Country you are primarily based in: Kenya 

          

What are the most significant cases and transactions that your legal team has recently been involved in?  

  Key transactions my legal team has been involved in include: 

  1. Multimillion dollar Olkaria geothermal capacity expansion projects over the past decade, worth over 450 Megawatts of renewable energy, which projects have solidified Kenya’s global ranking as a top 10 Geothermal Energy producing nation. 
  1. 2016 Rights Issue that saw KenGen raise USD 200 Million from the sale of shares, which proceeds are currently under use for renewable energy expansion projects. 
  1. Development of Africa’s first 100% green energy industrial park that shall serve as a global hub for green and sustainable industries in all sectors. 
  1. Geothermal energy consultancy services in the wider East and Southern African region that are destined to establish Africa as a green energy landmark. Key partners including Ethiopia Electric Power, and ODDEG-Djibouti. 
  1. Multimillion dollar project development financing agreements with global DFIs including AfD, KfW and the European Investment Bank. 

  

Which recent political, economic or regulatory changes have impacted your work the most in recent years?  

 The main regulatory change that has impacted my advisory role in the recent years arises from implementation of Kenya’s revamped Energy Laws. The enactment of the Energy Act 2019, and the ongoing development and operationalization of the Act’s supporting policies has come with new opportunities for KenGen, with respect to which our legal team is expected to adapt and guide. Through these latest developments, KenGen is no longer restricted to power generation, and through the guiding regulations, can now venture into bulk supply, distribution and other commercial activities. I also foresee an enhanced advisory role as the country is currently developing a working framework for green trade and finance. 

 

Are there any causes, business or otherwise, that you are passionate about? 

Beyond my engaging role in the energy Sector, I am equally passionate about public finance, and pension finance management. I previously served in various management roles in Kenya’s National Social Security fund, and currently sit as board member in KenGen’s defined contribution, and retirement benefit schemes.

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